The Kona Life

BACK ON THE BIKE

2012-01-02T21:21:00.005-10:00

Hope everyone had a great New Year's Day and I hope you all have a great 2012.

The year isn't exactly starting out the way I wanted. I've been suffering from an achilles tendon problem every since the Thanksgiving Day race when I stressed my left tendon/calf area. The race was a 10K with the first half uphill and I ran it harder than I should have and yanked the tendon or muscle or something in there.

(Karen and I wading through a tidal pool by the harbor.)

Anyhow that was what, 6 weeks or so ago and every time I think it's getting better it starts hurting again. OK, I probably push it too hard like this past weekend. I've only run about 2 hours over the past 6 weeks since I hurt it but I had gone a while without it hurting and thought I was ready to run so Karen and I did a 5 mile hilly trail run in our vibrams last Friday. Then Aaron and I did a 30 minute road run (not in vibrams) on Saturday. Then on Sunday Karen and I were doing a slow cross country run (basically flat course over grass, gravel, sand, and a little pavement in our vibrams.

With in a couple of steps after we hit the pavement (about a half-mile into our run) I felt a twinge in my left calf/achilles tendon area. It didn't really hurt but I knew what it was and now if I step wrong (whatever that is) I can feel a significantly more amount of pain. Most of the time though there is no pain.

Anyhow I decided not to run this week until Thursday or Friday and then only on trails. So far I haven't been injured while trail running, probably because I run more flat-footed on my injured side and take shorter strides.

I was supposed to start my triathlon training this week. I have a schedule made out with distances to get me to my long, swim, bike, run goals by June but I guess I'll have to improvise on the running for now.

It's just funny almost that the thing I want to do the most - run - I've been doing the least for the past year.

Now for the good news ...
After being off the bike for 15 months (since the Ironman World Championship 2010) I did my first road ride today. It was only an hourlong but it felt a lot better than I thought it would. No ankle pain at all which plagued me nearly all of my training for Ironman. It felt like I had a broken ankle with every pedal stroke. Just the thought of getting back on the bike over the past year would send waves of nausea thinking of all those hours and hundreds of miles pedaling in pain while training for Ironman. But to my surprise it felt good. I'll try to post a video of my first ride back later. I even passed someone - on an uphill. That's how excited I was to be out there.

Since I can't run this week I decided to try biking every day instead. I'll see how that goes.

Here are some photos of the first sunset of 2012 in Kona. Have a great year everyone.

RUNNING OUT THE YEAR - OR NOT

2011-12-12T21:58:00.004-10:00

I posted earlier that I've been getting into barefoot/minimal running, which means a lot less padding on my feet and a more natural way of running. It's supposed to cut down on injuries and hopefully correct a lot of bad running habits. I've been working the past few months on my running form and running with a lot less cushion seems to be helping. I've also been studying a lot of videos of some very good runners.

I've only been running at base pace -- basically keeping the heart rate low and working on form. With all its benefits of running slow and having better form this has caused a problem for me. I've ran in two races and ran at a 5k race pace twice for practice. The problem is, I can't control this competitive nature in me so i ran both races at a 2 to 3 minute per mile faster pace which caused me to strain a calf muscle in my last race and strain my other calf muscle in practice when I was running a 5k race pace at the end of a 9 mile run. (I really need to learn to run for what I've trained for, which has just been fast enough to work on form and a little endurance, not race pace. My legs just aren't ready for the fast stuff yet.)

My newest pair of running shoes that I'm getting for Christmas. Right Santa?

So now I'm trying to take the rest of the year off from running to heal up. The problem with that is there's the 5k jingle bells run next weekend that we do as a family every year. Hopefully since I'll be pushing Rebecca in her wheelchair and running with Karen I'll keep it slow. This last calf strain is taking a long time to heal, and I keep reinjuring it every couple of days by just stepping wrong.

I've been really working my calf muscles to break up the scar tissue from all the old (and current) injuries as well as doing a lot of strength training and stretching. Hopefully, it will all pay off once I start training seriously.

My goal is to get up to ultramarathon running distances next year as well as qualify for Ironman again.

Hope every one has a great Christmas and an awesome and fit new year. See ya out there!

BAREFOOT RUNNING

2011-11-04T15:43:00.004-10:00

As I mentioned in my last post, I've been trying out barefoot running. Although it's not true barefoot, I've been running in home-made huarache sandals. the shoes the Tarahumara Indians in Mexico run in. And they run hundreds of miles at a time over treacherous landscape.

I've been reading a lot about barefoot running and running in general, including the book "Born To Run" by Christopher McDougall. His book is about the Tarahumara Indians andhe is an advocate for barefoot/minimal running. I've also been following Anton Krupicka's blog "Riding The Wind" . He's an exceptional ultramarathoner who lives in Colorado. Check out some of the videos of him running on Youtube. His form is awesome. No wasted motion.

Anyhow, I've been really working on my running form and barefoot/sandal running on trails seems to be helping me get to where I need to be.

These are some huarache sandals I made. The work pretty good for getting my running form in balance. Slow and easy and build up the mileage, that's the trick. I'm up to 4 miles with the sandals on trails and an additional 2 miles on the road in shoes so far.

JUST A NOTE

2011-11-02T22:27:00.002-10:00

Well, it's been a while since I've posted anything on here. Facebook is so much more convenient for making quick notes on daily life.

Several things have happened since the last time I posted. First off, we lost our beloved Bear a few months ago. After 14 years of protecting our family, old age caught up to him. At least it was quick. He went blind a few months before, but seemed to adjust ok. Then one morning he began having what appeared to be chest pains and couldn't move so we took him to the vet who said he had a tumor pushing on his heart.

At his age she didn't think he could survive surgery so we had to put him down so he wouldn't suffer any longer.

Enough of the sad news ...

IU'm just about completely healed and I've been up and running for a few months now. My ankle (actually it's the peroneal tendon beside my ankle) is about 80 percent back to normal. I've even been trail running a few times. I've also started doing a little "barefoot running" using Huarache running sandals I've made at home.

I've been reading "Born to Run" by Christopher Mcdougall. It's a true story about the Tarahumara indians in Mexoco - the running people. They can run hundreds of trail miles nonstop and in sandals no less. It's quite an inspiring story.

We've also discovered chia seeds - the super food. We've been consuming for a bout a week now. I'll try to give a report on it after about a month. The Tarahumara use chia seeds as their source of energy for running all day.

I've decided to try to qualify for Ironman again next year. I'm not too excited about getting back on the bike, however. I haven't been on the bike on the road since Ironman last year. All I think about when I think about riding is how much my ankle would hurt. I know it's getting better but I just have no desire to climb back on, yet. I'm hoping once I actually get out there on the bike I'll like it just like I used to.

My swim times are getting much faster and that's on just swimming less than 6,000 yards a week. I'm excited to see how I'll do once I begin training seriously. I've also been working on my running form. As I said I've began running barefooted which is supposed to help you run correctly. I've also been working on running more energy-efficient.

Well, that's about all I have time for right now. So get off the couch and do something. Be safe out there.

SUM, SUM, SUMMAH TIME IN HAWAII

2011-07-13T22:03:00.007-10:00

Wow, it's been a month since I've posted anything here. That's the longest I've gone since I started this blog about 3 years ago. Well, here's a quick update on what's been happening on our tiny big island.

Rebecca had a great 5k race at the Kona Marathon last month. She beat her best time by about 10 minutes.

Rebecca working her way up Alii Drive during the race. She did a great job. Alii isn't flat at all and has a severe slope which makes doing a race in a wheelchair even harder.

Even though I'm still unable to run or bike too much I managed to do two ocean swim races in the past two weeks. The Hapuna Roughwater Swim and the King's Swim. As out of shape (and overweight) that I am these days I was pleasantly surprised at my time for the Hapuna swim, which is 1 mile. I did it in 26 minutes. The King's swim is 1.2 miles which I did last year in 31:36 and placed about 7th in my age group. This year the ocean was pretty rough with huge swells and a pretty strong current. I swam it in 33 minutes this year and placed 2nd in my age group. That's my 2nd-ever swimming award.

That's me coming out of the water and running to the finish line at the King's Swim last weekend. Thanks Carl Koomoa for the photo. That swim skin I'm wearing belonged to World Champion Ironman triathlete Chris McCormack and is the one he wore last year when he won the Ironman World Championship here in Kona. Karen won it from him in a contest he had while he was here. I thought I would see if it would help me swim faster -- no such luck, though.

Oh, the week before we were swimming this same course (Kailua Bay) for Masters and ran into three sharks. there's been quiet a few shark sightings here lately.

Not much else going on. I've been running a little but Monday I tweaked my knee some how and now I can barely walk. Old age sucks ...

On a sad note, our dog, Bear, who we have had for about 14 years (we got him when he was only 6 weeks old) has gone completely blind - old age sucks. We've been trying to help him adapt but it's been a struggle for him. He's learning to walk next to walls and feel his way around through the house. We're learning not to leave things where he can trip over them and not to leave doors open to bedrooms and bathrooms where he can get stuck and disoriented.

Bear in his younger days. Actually, this was taken just a couple of years ago.

TRAINING DAYS

2011-06-14T17:25:00.004-10:00

These days training is reserved for Rebecca, not me. I'm still on the injury list. Rebecca has a 5k race coming up in less than 2 weeks so she has been hitting the track a lot. This week she'll train every day then back off next week, resting up for the June 26 race. Here's a few photos of Rebecca racing around Old A today.

OTHER STUFF
This morning at 6 a.m. was supposed to be Masters swimming at the pool but someone forgot to tell the lifeguards I guess and no one opened up the pool. So we decided to go over to the pier and do an ocean swim. It was my first ocean swim in months. Just as I arrived at the King's Buoy a huge pod of dolphins swam under me. It was a great welcome back.

While at the pier this morning I noticed the King Kam hotel is still doing repairs from the tsunami back in March. They have also placed white sand all along the grounds where the canoes are stored.

In the pre-sunrise light this morning the white sand reminded me of snow rather than sand. After jumping in the ocean that early it felt like snow weather as well. It was pretty cold until we got out past the 6th buoy.

Well, that's about it for now. Take care.

WEEKENDS IN HAWAII

2011-05-21T20:59:00.007-10:00

First off, I've started running again. The tendon/ankle/foot still hurts but I'll see if running makes it stronger or injures it more. It's been about five months since I ran and I can tell. My pace is very slow but the good news is so is my heart rate. Swimming must be keeping me cardio fit. I'm only running 30 minutes a day on as flat of surface as I can find. I'm hoping to work up to an hour a day and then start working on gaining a little speed. That's all presuming that my injury keeps healing or at least stays the same.

It's been a while since I've posted photos so here's a few from the past couple of weekends here in Hawaii.

Aaron and Grace at the airport. It's the first time they've seen each other in nearly two years.

The walking/running path at Old A is where I'm doing my running these days.

Sunset at Honl's beach.

All the above photos are at the Hilton in Waikoloa.

Karen photographing koi at the Queen's Shops in Waikoloa.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN ...

2011-05-18T22:34:00.003-10:00

I've reached the end of my patience. It's been around seven months since I've been on my bike on the road and it's been about five months since I've done any running on the road.

The peroneal tendon that runs from my foot past my ankle is better than it was a few months ago but is still injured and somewhat painful when I use it. But enough is enough. It's time to get back on the road so tomorrow I'm breaking out my running gear and going for a run - for better or worse. It won't be too long of a run, hopefully a mile or so but it will be a start, a new beginning.

I'll let you know how it goes.

On a family note: Aaron's wife, Grace, finally made it to America. After nearly two years of filling out paper work and thousands of dollars, Aaron and Grace have been reunited. They were married in August two years ago in the Philippines.

Things may be changing at work for me. I may be returning to photojournalism in the near future. I spent about 16 years as a photographer before moving over to page design/copy editing/graphic designer.

Well, that's about it. Take care and be safe.

SOMEWHERE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA ...

2011-04-25T22:24:00.003-10:00

For those who do not know, our Marine is deployed on the USS Whidbey Island for the next 9 months or so. He is on his way to the Mediterranean Sea to keep an eye on Libya and the rest of the Middle East. If serious trouble breaks out (even more serious than what it is now) his company will be one of the first ground troops in to face the danger.

Well, Daniel called Monday morning at about 6:30 a.m. Satellite phone connections are terrible and we only got to speak for about one minute, maybe less before we were disconnected. In that short time I learned he is bored, very bored; he is somewhere in the middle of an ocean, and that's about it.

Daniel does have regular access to the Internet and facebook, however, so we do get to communicate with him that way. As I said he and the rest of his unit is bored and he has requested lots of movies so we are shipping him out as many movies (DVDs) as we could afford to buy. We also are sending him and his buddies some TV series since those take longer to watch than a movie.

Other News ...
Our daughter, Rachael, and her husband, Josh, and our granddaughter, Maddie moved from Oahu to Georgia a couple of months ago. Josh is in the Army and wanted to transfer closer to his family. Maddie turns 1-year-old near the end of May and has just begun to walk.

Our son, Aaron, will finally be reunited with his wife, Grace, after nearly 2 years of being separated because of the whole immigration law thing. It's taken them nearly 2 years to get through all the paper work and interviews to finally get Grace a green card so she could move to America and live with her husband. She arrives here in a few weeks.

Rebecca has decided to race in the Kona Marathon's 5K race again and will begin training next week for the end of June event. Rebecca is in a wheel chair if you didn't know and 5K (3.1 miles) on Alii Drive is pretty difficult.

I've been out all year with a split tendon in my ankle/foot/leg and will be out for a few more months. I'm on my second round of physical therapy and things are coming along slowly. I've started riding the trainer (basically a stationary bike) for 30 minutes a day and that is going well. I've had to give up swimming though because it was irritating the problem and that's been difficult.

Oh, I almost forgot, I started to learn how to play the drums. It's a lot of work and a lot of coordination and thankfully, I finally got some electric drums so no one has to hear me but me. If I ever get any good I'll post a video but don't expect it anytime soon.

Well, that's about it for now. It's been a while since I've posted anything so I'll try to take the time to write more.

UPDATES

2011-03-09T22:36:00.002-10:00

Well, it's been a while since I've posted anything. I've been busy the past few months even though I'm not training for anything. Here's what's been going on:

SEMPER FI
First, Daniel is being deployed to the Mediterranean Sea at the end of the month to keep an eye on Libya and the reast of the Middle East. He wasn't supposed to be deployed until summer. This time he will sail to the Med and wait to be sent into the fray when needed. Unfortunately, his deployment will probably be extended to his original date and not be able to come home a few months early.

SWIM, BIKE, RUN
I'm in physical therapy for my ankle/tendon. Apparently I have a split tendon and hopefully PT will help it heal so surgery won't be necessary. It's a slow process and for the past few months and the next few months about the only thing I can do is swim and walk. No running and no biking. My first scheduled marathon for this year happens at the end of the month so that's one race I'm missing. The two I wanted to make are the Kona Marathon in June and Honolulu in December. June may not happen but my physical therapist seems to think Honolulu may work.

DRUMS
Since I can't run or bike I have a lot of free time on my hands so I decided at 50-plus years old it's time to learn how to play the drums. So for the past couple of months I've been driving Karen, the kids and the neighbors crazy with a lot of banging, quite unrhythmically, but I'm starting to get the basics down. I've even sold some of my - now useless - triathlon gear so I can buy some electronic drums. That'll make Karen and everyone else happy because the noise factor is almost zero.

HURRAY FOR KAREN
Karen finally was healthy enough to take her certified nurses assistant test and passed. She was supposed to take it back in November but because of her mo-ped accident and breaking her collarbone she wasn't able to do the test until a couple of weeks ago. Now she is working part-time at two jobs. Her regular job and now at a nursing home. Good job Karen. I'm so proud of you.

GEORGIA ON MY MIND
Rachael, Josh and Maddie have moved from Oahu to Fort Benning, Georgia. Nearly 5,000 miles away. That's a long way. Hopefully we'll still get to see them at least once a year, if not more.

AARON AND GRACE
Aaron and grace are nearing the end of all the mountains of paperwork and money and interviews and everything else so Grace can finally become a U.S. citizen and move here from the Philippines. They were married about a year and a half ago and haven't seen each other since the wedding.

Well, that's about all for now. Take care and thanks for stopping by.

A TRIP THROUGH THE MAGNET

2011-02-09T19:43:00.002-10:00

I've been having a problem with my ankle for over a year. It used to hurt once in a while on the bike and would swell up. Then it started hurting more often on the bike. After a while the swelling just never went away. Then it started hurting all of the time on the bike and some of the time on the run. Then it was hurting most of the time on the run and some of the time walking. Now it hurts all of the time.

I thought it might just be tendonitis and it would go away after Ironman but it just got worse. Some days I couldn't even walk. So about a month ago I stopped pretty much everything except swimming. No running, no biking and I try not to walk anymore than I have to.

I finally broke down and went to see a doctor. Actually two doctors. The family doc didn't know what it was and the X-ray didn't show anything so i went to an orthopedic surgeon who guessed it was probably tendonitis but wanted me to get an MRI to rule out the "Big C" and a few other things. My options will be surgery, physical therapy or both, or a walking boot/cast and physical therapy.

So this morning I went to have an MRI and as the technician was getting me positioned on the machine here is part of the conversation we had.

MRI TECH GUY: Do you have any metal in your body?

ME: No.

TECH: Any tattoos?

ME: One on my leg.

TECH: How old.

ME: Just over a year old.

TECH: Sometimes the iron in the ink can react to the magnets.

ME: Oh.

TECH: Your tattoo may tingle or get hot. But don’t worry, you’ll have an emergency shut-off switch just in case your leg catches fire.

PAUSE ...

ME: Haha. You had me going there for a minute.

TECH: (No reaction) Here’s the emergency shut-off switch Mr. Wrighthouse. Once the machine starts I won't be able to hear you so be sure to use the switch if you need it.

Needless to say, I was a little nervous as the huge magnetic machine wound up. Visions of my leg bursting into flames danced in my head as I held tightly to that emergency switch.

Well, OK, maybe he didn't really say my leg would catch on fire but that's what I heard as he explained what could happen.

I have to wait now until Monday, Valentine's Day, to see the doc and hear the results of the MRI.

Hope you all have a great week and a happy Valentine's Day.

THROWING A FIT

2011-01-21T17:23:00.004-10:00

Karen and I have been car shopping for the past few weeks.

We've had a little disagreement on the type of vehicle we should get. Karen wants a gas-economical car and I want a Big, gas/diesel guzzling truck.

Here are our choices:

This one is what Karen wants. A Honda Fit. But just look at the one below. Ain't it a beauty?

This is what I want. A man's truck!!! I mean, just think what you can do with this. Need a mountain moved? No problem. Need a new yard, or two? No prob. Need your house moved? Shoots, you can live in the back of this thing. Just pitch a tent ...

I wonder which one we'll get??? I'll keep you posted.

2010: A YEAR IN REVIEW

2010-12-31T16:43:00.000-10:00

A lot has happened with our family this year. Some I've blogged about, some I've FaceBooked about and some I did neither. The big highlight this year was our granddaughter, Maddie, was born and our son, Daniel, returning safely from Afghanistan.

Below are a few of the highlights from 2010: Happy New Year everyone!

JANUARY
Daniel is in Afghanistan and has been since November. We get an occasional phone call from him, which most of the time keeps getting disconnected. A devastating earthquake in Haiti. The heartbreaking photos touched most of us.

To celebrate a new triathlon training season I even tried my hand at poetry in honor of triathlon

IT'S A LOVE HATE THING
You o triathlon,
builder of egos and breaker of hearts ...

I hate it when you raise me up
I hate it more when you tear me down.

I hate it when you promise me glory
then throw me to the ground.

I hate your 5 a.m. wake up calls
and swimming in the dark.

I hate your freezing cold swimming pools
and when I see a shark.

I hate it when its time to ride
and ride and ride some more.

How your gale-force wind is always there
that ain’t no Kona lore.

I hate the way you make me run
I hate it but it’s cool.

I hate the way you challenge me
like I was back in school.

I hate the fact we cannot draft
Bike refs make sure of that.

I hate those cards of yellow and red
that whole penalty tent format.

I hate it when you make me laugh,
even worse when you make me cry.

But love that you made me an Ironman
then branded me till I die.

I hate it when you’re not around
after Kona’s race in the fall.

But mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you,
not even close
not even a little bit
not even at all.
(Inspired from the poem, "10 Things I Hate About You")

January was the start to a very long 10-month triathlon training season.

FEBRUARY
Daniel turned 20 years old in Afghanistan while patrolling, getting shot at and generally being miserable. Another tragic drunken driver fatality happened here in Kona. This time killing a high school girl on Queen K.

The big news for me in February is I met Lance Armstrong and had the chance to see him race against triathlon pro Chris Lieto.

A lot of Kona swimmers were riled up about the heat being turned off at the pool (it still is off. Plus they started closing the pool twice a month for furlough days.)

MARCH
My first triathlon race of the year, Lavaman took place. I actually made the podium with a third place finish. Something I never imagined would ever happen. Karen competed in her second Lavaman and did excellent.

Daniel is still in Afghanistan but healthy.

Lots of swimming, biking and running going on in Kona.

APRIL
A very busy month for our family. Three birthdays, Karen, our son, Jon (who turned 27), and mine. And our wedding anniversary - 31 years. You can go here: A BUSY MONTH to watch the video I made in honor of our anniversary.

MAY
May was a great month. Our first granddaughter, Madison Lynn Permenter, was born.

And here's a photo of Maddie at about 6 and a half months.

When Maddie was born I even had an urge to write some grunge poetry. While our daughter, Rachael, was in labor on Oahu I was on the Big Island running 10 miles training for Honu. Karen kept me up-to-date via cell phone. Poor cell reception from the hospital caused me to only get cryptic messages on what was happening. Thus the following was created:

LABOR OF LOVE
Water leaking, water gushing;
2 centimeters, 4 centimeters;

Dilation, balloon inflation;
IV fluid, amniotic fluid;

Stretching, tearing, new mom forbearing;
contraction, distraction, uterine inaction;

Tears of pain, tears of joy;
soon we'll say "it's a girl, not a boy."

Waiting, waiting our breath abating ...
a gift of God, new life creating.

Well, as I said, grunge poetry. That's what running 10 miles in the heat, combined with static-filled, staccato cell phone conversations yields I guess.

JUNE
Honu, the Hawaii Half Ironman was this month. The worst race of my tri career. But even so, I qualified for Ironman World Championship.

As you can see in this photo at the finish of Honu, I wasn't a happy camper. I thought I had lost my slot for Ironman but fortunately they gave us two slots in my age group.

Daniel is finally back from war safe and sound and came home for a visit. He was able to watch me race at Honu.

JULY
There were several fun races in July. The King's Swim (a 1.2-mile ocean swim) in which I got a PR and the Peaman Kaloko Run. A very steep 6 mile run. How steep? check this out ...

OK, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but when you run it that's how steep it feels.

Also in July, Ironman announced the end of big Island and State "earned" slots for the world championship. From now on Big Island and state triathletes hoping to make it to the big show will be entered into a lottery. No more "May the best athlete win ..." Now it's "May the luckiest athlete win" So I made this shirt in honor of next years lucky athletes:

Go Team Lotto!!!

AUGUST
The dog days of training for the world championship. LOng rides, long runs and long swims. I got back in touch with my artistic side and created a few computer drawings from the Tour de France.

Of course my best drawing, Alberto Contador, is pretty much worthless now ...

SEPTEMBER
Ironman is only a month away and I'm hating those 6 and 7 hour bike rides. I have an ankle injury that hurts with every pedal stroke and riding a hundred-plus miles at a time is a real killer. I also rode over the Kohala mountains for the first (and last) time. The scariest ride I've ever had. Super windy. Nearly got blown off the bike and the road.

Ironman athletes are arriving in town. The dog days of training are over and the excitement of the nearing race is building.

OCTOBER
Ironman time!!! I met so many great people/athletes this year. If you click on October on the right side of my blog you'll see photos of many of them.

This was my second Ironman. I beat last year's time by about 9 minutes. But more importantly I finished and that's what counts for me.

I did another computer drawing in honor of our local professional triathlete, Bree Wee.

NOVEMBER
After five years of living in the same house, we had to move so we spent most of November searching for a house and moving. I kept up my running and had a couple of races. I also got hit by a car while running on Alii Drive. No major damage but I did suffer from a stiff neck and some damage to my spine that showed up a couple of days afterward. I learned to ALWAYS get information from a driver even if you don't feel like you are injured.

I also started writing my book. November is National Novel Writing Month, also called NaNo Wri. The goal is to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days and although I wasn't writing a novel I gave it my best try. But with moving to a new house consuming most of my free time I only managed just under 11,000 words. But at least it's a start and I worked out some issues with the subject I'm writing about and progressed further emotionally than I thought I would. It's a tough subject to talk/write about and hopefully one day I'll get worked out and all down on paper.

DECEMBER
Our daughter, Rachael, and granddaughter, Madison, came for a visit before they move to Georgia.

I started turning some of my photos into computer paintings to decorate our new house. I kind of like the results. Once printed on canvas I'm filling in highlights with oil paint to give it that freshly painted smell and texture. I may try to sell some at some local markets as well.

Well, that was my year. If you managed to read it all, thank you. If you just browsed it thanks as well.

PLANS FOR 2011
I don't have a lot of plans for 2011. So far I'm not planning on doing triathlons this year. My ankle is pretty messed up and riding a bike is just too painful. I go to the doctor next week who will probably refer me to a surgeon and who knows how long all of that will take. My athletic plans are focusing on running (for some reason running is the least painful activity for my ankle. Walking and biking are the most painful.) I'll also continue to swim. I'm hoping to run in a few marathon and swim as many ocean races as I can.

A new hobby I just picked up, thanks to Karen's Christmas gift, is learning to play the drums. Karen got me a small electric drum set that is really just a toy but while trying to get down the coordination of moving your foot, and each hand at different speeds and times reminded me of learning to swim, I couldn't resist the challenge of it. Plus I love music with lots of heavy drums in it. So I'm hoping to overcome my lack of coordination and be able to at least play some basic drum beats.

I don't know, do you think 51 years old is too old to become a rock star?

Happy New Year everyone. Be safe and thanks for stopping by throughout the year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM HAWAII

2010-12-24T15:47:00.003-10:00

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas. Thanks for stopping by my blog and hope you all have a fantastic new year.

Oh, and if you are reading this Christmas Eve and wondering where Santa is check this out:

"NORAD Tracks Santa now has a Twitter account, a Facebook page, a Youtube channel and apps for mobile phones, along with a website, noradsanta.org, and the phone line, 877-HI NORAD.
More than 13 million unique visitors went to the website last December. NORAD Tracks Santa more than 625,000 “likes” on Facebook by Friday and more than 49,000 followers on Twitter.
The phone line is still at the core of NORAD Tracks Santa. Volunteers answer calls in two-hour shifts from 2 a.m. Mountain Time on Christmas Eve until 3 a.m. Christmas Day."

So stop by noradsanta.org to track santa or give them a call. Michelle Obama is also answering Santa's calls from Hawaii.

Santa's stop in Hawaii.

Our house this year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

'PAINTING IS JUST ANOTHER WAY OF KEEPING A DIARY' - Pablo Picasso

2010-12-10T16:36:00.006-10:00

Henry Ward Beecher once said, “Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” If so, below is a glimpse of my own nature, or maybe my soul.

My pictures began with a camera, a lens and natural lighting that made its way to a computer, mixed in with filters, electronic brushes and adjusted pixels and finally printed on canvas and added oil and acrylic paints. A true mixed media of art forms and of ages (traditional and computerized painting). This is my hobby while I decide if I will continue in triathlon or on to something else. Maybe art, maybe writing or maybe back to triathlon.

Somewhere along the way before Ironman I lost my enthusiasm for the sport, especially the bike portion. Mostly because of an ankle injury that made biking extremely painful for the months leading up to Ironman. I was hoping taking some time off after ironman would allow my ankle to get better but it is still bothering me and is forcing me to go to the doctor and possibly have surgery.

So in the meantime, this is what's filling my spare time. It's hard to see the texture of the prints on the computer but I hope you like them. Who knows, they may be for sale one day.

JUST GRAND

2010-12-07T21:24:00.001-10:00

Our daughter, Rachael and our granddaughter, Madison, are visiting us from Oahu this week. Next month they are moving to Georgia so it'll be a long while before we see them again. Rachael's husband, Josh, is in the Army and is being stationed at Fort Benning.

Here are some photos from this week:

Maddie at 6 months old

Who's the little princess?

Curiouser and curiouser

Mommy and baby sleeping

Proud grandma

Play time

Tasting grandpa's hat. Teething time

Santa's little elf

LIFE IS BUSY

2010-12-03T21:25:00.005-10:00

It's been a long and busy past few weeks. We are still in the process of moving. Well, mostly we are finished except for a yard sale tomorrow and then getting rid of everything at the old house that doesn't sell. Then cleaning and finally we'll be finished.

One thing I've learned over the past month is that training for Ironman is easy compared to moving. I'm beat up, banged up and plain tired of the whole process.

(Maddie learning to sit up by herself.)

On a brighter note, Rachael and Madison are coming to visit tomorrow for a week. Tomorrow is also Aaron's birthday.

(Aaron the bell ringer.)

Life is pretty busy this time of year for us especially with the move. By January things should be slowing down I hope. I hope you all are staying warm. I've been having snow envy as I do every year at this time. Our temps are in the 80s for the highs and 70s for the lows.

When I get to really craving the cold I go out to Costco and jump into their walk-in refrigerator. That seems to do the trick for a while.

(A cool 32 degrees. Just what the soul needs in December in Hawaii.)

Well, take care and Merry Christmas. I'll post again soon.

BUSY MOVING

2010-11-22T08:40:00.002-10:00

Sorry I haven't posted anything for a while. I have lots to write about but with Karen still recovering from a broken collarbone and us in the middle of moving I haven't even had time to run or swim or blog. I'll post again soon. Happy Thanksgiving almost. Have a safe week.

GET THE INFO

2010-11-05T22:09:00.002-10:00

Well, it finally happened to me.

I was running along Alii Drive last Monday minding my own business and listening to my tunes. ( I have headphones that allow me to hear ambient sound while listening to music. for all you safety-minded folks) I was only out for a one hour run and was pushing my pace pretty hard. I had just checked my time to see how I was doing. I was at about mile 4 and a half heading back to Coconut Grove where I started from.

I usually run with traffic because my left ankle is injured and the slope of the road is such that I need to run on the side that slopes to the right. Otherwise it is just too painful. More on all this in another post later.

Like I said, I was just minding my own business when out of nowhere I heard a loud "THUMP," felt a pain in the back of my left arm and at the same time my upper body twisted violently to the right as a gray-brown blur flew by me just inches away. Instantly my left arm went numb. I looked up and saw a Suburban-like truck cruising half in the shoulder and half on the road. It's passenger side mirror now smashed flat against the door.

My first thought was, "Holy crap, I just got hit. Am I alive?" My second thought was, "Hey, this guy's not going to stop." So I strained my eyes to get a glimpse of his license plate. "HVM something, something, 8." I don't know if he didn't know he hit me or it took it a little time to register with him what to do or maybe the fact that he just passed someone walking toward me who could be a possible witness, but after about a block and a half the guy pulled over.

I was walking by then, holding my arm and trying to assess if it felt broken or what. With every step I took toward that vehicle I was getting more upset. The driver didn't get out, didn't back up. He just set there. When the person who was walking got to me I asked him if he had seen that guy hit me, he said no. So much for a good witness.

Just before I got to the vehicle the driver got out. It was a young man in his 20s. Maybe even his teens. He looked scared and I'm sure I looked mad. As I approached him he asked, "What happened, brah?" Still holding my arm I said angrily, "You hit me, cuz." "I was just driving," he said too defensively I thought. "On the shoulder?!?" I said even more angrily. "I'm sorry," he said, a little shakiness in his voice now.

Then for some reason I felt like I was giving one of my kids a lecture about safe driving and started tell him he needs to be careful. That there are a lot of runners along Alii and to give them plenty of room.

He finally asked me if I was Ok which I told him I thought I was. I kept walking and he got back into his vehicle. Then I turned around walked back to him looked him in the eyes, I'm sure he thought I was going to lay into him again, and told him "thank you for stopping. A lot of people don't stop." Then I turned around and headed back to Coconut Grove. After he passed me a second time I started running, angry with myself for not getting any contact info and for not calling the police. I figure the more auto verses runner/bike accidents that are reported the likely we are to get funding for safer pathways. And I blew it by not getting any info.

My arm stayed numb the rest of my run and for a little while after that but otherwise as far as I could tell nothing else hurt. My biggest concern was how much the whole affair was going to affect my average pace for my run and if I should deduct a couple of minutes for being hit by a car.

The next morning taught me a lesson. Never assume you are OK if you get in an accident. When I got out of bed the next day I could not turn my head to the left at all and I could barely turn it to the right. And I couldn't look down without causing serious pain in my spine that made it hard to breathe. Nonetheless though, I went for another run on Alii Drive. I figured I needed to face my fear, you know, do what scares you. And I knew I had a confidence problem now. So I ran for only 40 minutes but with my neck/spine feeling the way they were it made it difficult to breathe and to run.

By that night I could barely move my head and hardly slept. Wednesday night I went to Masters swimming to see if maybe swimming would loosen it up. I managed to swim 2,000 yards but it was too painful so I stopped. By then I was getting pretty worried that maybe something serious was going on. By Thursday morning I was feeling a little better and by early afternoon I was feeling even better. By the time I went to bed that night I was nearly pain-free. And today, Friday, There's just a hint of pain in my spine between my shoulder blades when I turn my head.

So, here's the moral to this story. You get hit, you get the info, call the cops to report it and never assume you are OK just because you don't feel any pain. Or you could just never leave the house again. Your choice.

IRONMAN 2

2010-10-19T21:15:00.000-10:00

I don't remember my first Ironman, which I did last year, hurting as much as this one did. But now I feel that the race was a nice warm up and today I'm ready to do Ironman for real. The nervousness is gone, the confidence is back and now that I know I can do it, I'm ready to give it a try, only faster. Well, maybe I'll wait a while. The spirit might be willing but the body hasn't quite recovered.

That being said here's my Ironman experience:

PRERACE MORNING

I woke at 4 am with no butterflies or nervousness at all. I was actually calm. I ate a good breakfast - eggs and waffles -- and drank gatorade. Everything was going smoothly until it was time to head out to the King Kam for body marking. Then the butterflies hit full force. We headed down and I turned in my food bags and got my number stamped on my arms. Then Karen and I went inside the King Kam where I just tried to stay calm and finish getting ready for the race.

With about 45 minutes to go I started heading out to the pier. It was so crowded with age group athletes on the way to the pier I missed the Pro start and was starting to wonder if we were going to make it to the water in time for our start, which was 30 minutes later. I made sure I took time at the top of the steps leading into the water to pause and take in the scene.

Thousands of people lined the seawall. Hundreds of swimmers were reluctantly making their way into the water. Mike Reilly, the voice of Ironman, was coaxing us into the water with promises of glory at the end of the day. I hope I was calm enough to smile as I took it all in ( I was on the inside).

Just as I took my first step down toward the water a wave swept over most of us catching us off guard. So much for romanticizing my walk into the sublime sea, I thought. No Shakespeare came to mind this year. Just thoughts of a long, hard day.

THE SWIM

I weaved my way through all the swimmers wading and waiting. I had no idea what time it was so I didn't know if we had five minutes or 15 minutes. I headed out to the left of the starting line. After a while Reilly said we had about 10 minutes until the start.

Ten minutes and it was already getting packed in my spot. I moved forward and more people showed up. I floated into Laura Sophia - someone who lives here part time, and is a much better swimmer than I am. She looked nervous and said it was crazy out there. I agreed and tried to back up a little but there were swimmers everywhere. By the way, Laura ended up becoming world champion in her age group.

Panic started setting in. Too many people. Ironman packed us in tight this year. Fear was in a lot of swimmers' eyes, including mine. Athletes were shivering, not so much from the water but from nerves. the final minutes before the start seemed to take an eternity.

I thought about swimming for shore and just waiting unitl after the cannon fired but there were too many swimmers blocking me in. Then I figured I can either be submissive or aggressive. Submissiveness is going to get me hurt, I thought. Aggressiveness is going to get me into open water. So I set my focus on the front row of swimmers and waited. Don't forget, I just learned to swim a few years ago so I'm still nervous in the water.

Four minutes, three minutes, two minutes, one. BOOM!

Feet, arms, legs, torsos are everywhere. The spray churned up by the athletes is blinding. The roar of the crowd deafening. Hitting. Getting hit, kicked and hit again. So much fun, fear and adrenaline you think you are going to explode with excitement, or die. Maybe both.

People have asked me if the swim start is as violent as it looks on TV. I answer them like this:

Pick any room in your house. Fill it with people until they are touching front and back and shoulder to shoulder. Then add a few more people. Let them stand there for a few minutes to get them really hot, nervous and panicky. Turn off the lights. Now count down 3,2,1, go and have them start doing jumping jacks as fast as they can. Get the picture? That's how my swim start was.

If I put my face in the water I got kicked and hit. If I swam with my head up I got clobbered from swimmers hands and elbows. But I was focused on just plowing through to open water. In the thick of it I think I got hit in the head every stroke for at least 10 strokes. BAM! BAM! BAM! Nonetheless, I made it to fairly clear water, drafting when I could and passing when I had room. Always trying to stay the aggressor, which is a change for me. Normally I'm pretty timid in the water. But I made it. I had a few cramping problems after the turn for home. That, combined with no speed suit this year I think is why my swim was about a minute slower than last year. But I felt stronger and was way more aggressive this year. TIME: 1:15

I tripped getting out of the water again this year. But as with last year, there were people there to help me up and get me on my way. The volunteers in the changing tent were super helpful in getting us on our way to the bike.

THE BIKE

The bike was a lot faster than I planned it to be but I felt strong and rested so I just went with. I kept up on salt and hydration and hoped I wouldn't cramp up in my legs like last year. That was short lived however. By mile 50 my left quad started cramping. I was determined not to stop this year because of it though. So I just tried to pedal as best I could until the spasms subsided.

I pushed the last 25 miles pretty much as hard as I could trying to break 6 hours. My time ended up at 6:06, nearly 30 minutes faster than last year even with the cramps and some scary crosswind.

I'm not sure why my transition times were so slow, 8 minutes and 7 minutes. I didn't think I stayed that long but it is quite a run from the tent to the timing mat.

THE RUN

I knew the run was going to hurt because I pushed the last 25 miles of the bike pretty hard. And sure enough, I wasn't disappointed. It hurt. By mile 4 or so I was beginning to slow down. By mile 8 I was a minute off my goal pace time and things just got worse from there. At mile 14 my legs began to cramp forcing me to stop. I couldn't even walk. For a moment I was afraid my race was over. Someone ran by me and offered me some Ibuprofen but I knew that wouldn't help. I had been downing salt tabs and magnesium all day so all I could was wait it out. After a few minutes I tried walking, then jogging and finally the cramps subsided.

My goal this year was to get out of the Energy Lab before dark. Fortunately I met up with a guy who was running about the same speed as me and we both helped each other to keep going. We actually made it a mile or so down Queen K before it was completely dark. We ran and chatted like two old friends the rest of the race. I'm so thankful that I had someone to run with the final miles. I would probably still be out there if not.

THE FINISH

The finish for me this year was in fast motion. I saw a lot of people I knew cheering me on as I was entering the chute and before I knew it I was through it and my second Ironman was complete.

COMPARISONS

It's hard not to compare this year's Ironman with last year's. All I can say is last years race was a perfect race for me. Maybe not physically. I had problems last year, too. But emotionally and, yes, even spiritually, last year's race was a dream. In a word, perfect. And honestly, I had TV cameras there to help motivate me last year. That combined with the newspaper stories all helped to make it a unique, once in a lifetime experience.

So this year's race, for me, was to prove to myself that I could do an Ironman without the extra help. Well, I did it but it hurt so much more than last year.

Karen, Rebecca and Aaron took lots of photos and I'll post them as I get a chance.

Giving Karen a kiss after 10 miles on the run.

That's me in the shadows at the beginning of the finishing chute.

The End!

This is a drawing I did for Bree Wee before Ironman. I meant to get it made into a poster for her but ran out of time. If you can enlarge the photo you should read the quote. If you know Bree, you'll know that this sounds just like her.

LONG WEEK

2010-10-15T11:59:00.002-10:00

Sorry I haven't posted my blog about my second Ironman yet. I've been working on it but with Karen breaking her collarbone, Rebecca's birthday and everything else going on this week I just haven't had time. I've been trying to get together some photos from the race as well.

Below is my finishing video. The announcer called out the finishers as they entered the chute. So you'll hear my name first then see me come across the line at the end of the video with another finisher.

Thanks for all the cheering and support.

IRONMAN WEEK - FRIDAY

2010-10-08T17:10:00.005-10:00

One more day. I took the bike and gear down to the transition area this afternoon. Hope I didn't forget anything.

The most famous street in triathlon

Me being interviewed by Active.com.

The question? What's the most important piece of equipment on your bike?

This is newe this year. Some say it is a pedestrian bridge but we'll see.

Going out later today to do some of our own chalk writing.

The entrance to the finishing chute looking out.

Tomorrow night this will be a party area.

The walk of fame. taking our bikes and gear to transition while the press and surveyors watch.

Gettin' ready.

The runway between the men's and women's changing tents.

Run gear waiting.

My bike is on the row at t he endo f the red hash marks. Remember that!

My row. The swim finish is in the background.

Good luck to everyone racing tomorrow. I'll post race day fotos when I recover. See ya out there.

Oh, you can track me live at:

on the computer and iphone: http://trackmyathlete.com/vemap.aspx?name=029889

on blackberry and pda: http://trackmyathlete.com/pda.aspx?name=029889

IRONMAN WEEK - THURSDAY

2010-10-07T17:39:00.005-10:00

Today was the "Underpants Run" and as usual it was a hoot. We also hung out at the Clif Bar house and scored tons of Clif bar products, got to meet Chris McCormick and picked up shirts for Team Macca for the fam to wear during the race.

Pro triathlete and former world champion Chris McCormack blowing bubbles.

Big Island triathlete Doug Henbest showing Macca how to blow bubbles.

We had the athlete's race meeting tonight and as usual I am very nervous about the race. I always seem to get extremely nervous after those meetings. But I'm trying to enjoy this and remember that it is supposed to be fun. Less than 48 hours...

IRONMAN WEEK - WEDNESDAY

2010-10-06T15:05:00.005-10:00

The big day is getting closer! I did a short bike ride to the airport and back and felt pretty strong. Tapering is becoming evident after months of feeling exhausted. I'm not doing much of anything else today. I'll do a short ocean swim tomorrow testing the new goggles and that will probably be it. Training is over, just trying to get the rest I need and keep the body going.

Oh, I got my GPS tracker today. Here are the websites to go to to track me during the race. I did a trial run today and it seemed to work OK.

For the computer and iPhone: http://trackmyathlete.com/vemap.aspx?name=029889

For blackberry or pda: http://trackmyathlete.com/pda.aspx?name=029889

I'll keep posting the websites so they'll be easy to find come Saturday. It's a comfort during the race just to know people know where I'm at and how I'm doing. It doesn't get so lonely that way. So I hope you follow me.

Here are a few photos from Wednesday in Kona.

I registered today and picked up my race packet. Look at all that bounty that comes with Ironman.

This year they are printing our names on the bib numbers.

Signage and more signage along the pier and seawall.

They had me at "Danger."

That's Scott Rigsby on the left. We are friends on Facebook and I finally got to meet him in person. I saw him finish IM world championship a couple of years ago as one of the few, if not the first, double amputee above the knee to finish the race.

Lot's of Wheaties. I like this cereal but it is expensive when you can find it here. I scored an armload of boxes from the Wheaties booth last night.

Athletes getting registered today.

In a few days these bleachers will be packed with spectators.

As will the seawall.

When I got my race packet it had a note on it from my fellow registration volunteers. How nice of them. Thanks guys.

IRONMAN WEEK - TUESDAY

2010-10-05T20:23:00.006-10:00

Ironman week is a busy, nervous, exciting week. There is something going on every minute of the day this week.

Sitting at Lava Java this morning, it was rumored that former world champion Norman Stadler was sitting behind me. So in stealth mode I raised up my phone and took a photo. No Norman, except for his poster on the wall behind me. I saw his team mates when I left, however.

Afternoon in Kona brought the Ironman Parade of Nations. So here are a few photos from this fun parade.

The Netherland athletes

A few of the Big Island athletes. We are the only ones who get to ride the parade route instead of walk it. (I think).

Poland was a little late.

Marching down Alii Drive.

Karen and Rebecca following. My own personal groupies.

Not sure what country these two are from.

Sunset from the Ironman Village.

Sunset over the pier.

Paul Huddle and Roch Frey, coaches, columnists and underpants run organizers.

IRONMAN WEEK - MONDAY

2010-10-04T10:47:00.005-10:00

Monday in Kona ...

just after sunrise at "Dig Me" Beach.

Information booth at the pier.

The swim and bike course for Ironman. It doesn't look so bad on paper.

Anyone famous out there?

Just a small portion of the belongings of the hundreds of swimmers.

Each day this week it'll get more crowded with swimmers and spectators.

Superstar! Faris Al-Sultan (in the middle) Faris was surprisingly nice. Everyone who came up to him and asked to have their photo taken with him he agreed to. He even wished them luck in the race and had fun with them.

"Why I like this Man? Faris did it Old school: Swimming, Biking and Running from the Front - wearing only his Speedos." - Mike Reilly, the Voice of IRONMAN.

The new drink of Ironman. Tastes kind of watered down to me but it has more sodium, carbs and calories than gatorade and a touch of magnisium, which gatorade doesn't have, but less potassium and sugar.

IRONMAN WEEK - TEAM HAWAII

2010-10-03T21:38:00.002-10:00

It's Ironman week and I'm excited, nervous and confident. Well, not too confident. Just enough to calm the nerves. I'll start to post photos of the Ironman activities going on this week such as the Parade of Athletes on Tuesday and the Underpants Race on Thursday.

So keep checking back and I'll be posting photos each day of what's happening here in Kona for the week.

Saturday night Karen, Rebecca and I helped put together 1,963 race packets for the athletes. I even got to put together my own packet. I made sure I got well-wishes from all the volunteers while the packet was being filled.

On Sunday, all the athletes from the Big Island got together for a team photo for the newspaper. Let the fun begin ...

Hope everyone out there has a great week and keep all of us Ironman hopefuls in your thoughts come Saturday. It'll be long 140.6 miles. Good luck to all the athletes on Saturday.

Take care.

TWO WEEKS NOTICE

2010-09-29T14:36:00.004-10:00

Ironman is only 10 days away. Maybe 9. I can never figure out if you should count today or not. Anyhow, it's less than two weeks away.

I'm getting excited. Then I get scared, then excited again. Some days I think I'm ready and other days I think I need more time. But there is no more time and the time that is left is taper time. Time to let the body recover but not shut down. It's a thin line between the two. Too much relaxing and the body will think it has done its job and go into hibernation. Too little rest and I'll go into feeling exhausted.

Last year I tapered too much I think and I felt that on the bike. This year I think I'm a little wiser and trying to taper just enough to get the rest I need but still keep the body and mind in a state of readiness. To do that I'm still doing some intense training this week but trying to combine it with some fun as well. Like yesterday. I'm did three separate training sessions but trying to have fun with them.

Yesterday morning I swam to the King's Buoy with a friend. A bunch of Ironman athletes were already in the water swimming. Big swells, big waves and lots of dolphins greeted us at the Kings buoy. We even saw a manta ray swim under the dolphins and it made me wish I had a camera with me. How often do you see that? A manta and dolphins in the same shot.

We swam with the dolphins (who were in the middle of mating so they stayed around for a long while), played tag with them and envied them for their swimming ability. It was a great swim and very relaxing. That afternoon I had a quick little hourlong run along Alii Drive. I probably ran it a little too hard but I had fun seeing all the triathletes out and about. There were plenty also lots of tourists to run around.

About the time I got home it started pouring rain and then I waited for Masters swim practice last night for my final session of the day. Each day the workouts are getting a little easier and a little shorter. This weekend I'll do my final distance training. Nothing real long just a couple of hours on the bike and an hour and a half run. After that it's just rest and hydrate for the last week. short little rides and runs and a lot of swimming but nothing hard, just playing in the water. After all, Ironman for me isn't a race, it's an event. Something to finish. To attain to.

Well, gotta go. Time to swim to the Ironman buoy. Hopefully lots of dolphins and rays and athletes and friends will be out. And speaking of friends.

I met an Ironman athlete yesterday from Orlando, Florida. His name is Rajesh and this will be his first Ironman. If you get a chance stop by his website at: http://www.live-free.net/. I borrowed this photo from Leann.

GONE WITH THE WIND

2010-09-20T16:42:00.006-10:00

I'll come right out and say it: I don't like crosswind while I'm on the bike. In fact, it plain just scares when I'm going downhill.

This past weekend was my peak weekend. My longest ride and run leading up to Ironman. I'm not sure I'm doing my training correctly but that's what I did last year and it seemed to work. Saturday was a 120-mile bike ride. From my house to Kawaihae, about 35 miles, then start climbing for about 40 miles. 18 miles from Kawaihae to Hawi, take a right and keep climbing another 20 or so to the summit of Kohala Mountain Road just above Waimea. Then you have a steep and very windy descent for about 7 miles into Waimea and another long descent to Kona some 40 miles away, depending which way you decide to ride.

(The elevation profile for my 120-mile ride. The big hump in the middle is Kohala Mountain Road)

Did I mention the wind? Out of the 120 miles I rode Saturday, about 100 miles of it was either into a strong headwind or a crosswind. On the climb past Hawi to the summit it was mostly a strong, and very loud headwind. The wind blowing through the trees would howl so loudly I couldn't even hear my iPod on full blast.

(The first elevation sign appears. The summit is at about 3,600 feet. I had planned on taking photos of all of the elevations signs as I came to them but it became so windy I couldn't ride with one hand and I didn't want to stop.)

And when I reached the treeline at the summit the wind had turned into a shrieking, howling, incredible crosswind making it extremely difficult to stay on my bike. Stopping to take photos I could barely stand up. I was so tempted to get off my bike and hitchhike down to Waimea, but the wind was blowing too hard to take a hand off the bars to stick out my thumb.

Besides, I figured, what doesn't kill you, only makes you think you're going to die, so I made my way -- very slowly -- along. Scary. I've never been on a bike in that much wind before, let alone trying to ride down a narrow mountain road dodging traffic and wind gusts. I kept wondering if they ever have to ride in this kind of wind in the Alps or Pyrenees mountains during the Tour de France.

(View from the top. I nearly lost my cell phone taking this photo, the wind almost blew it out of my hands.)

By the time I rolled off the mountains my hands were so cramped from holding the brakes and my arms were so tired from trying to hold onto my bike I had to stop for a few minutes to rest up. The funny thing is my legs felt pretty fresh and that was after about 80 miles of riding.

I don't think I'll ever ride over Kohala Mountains Road again. It's not that it is that hard of a ride -- 30 or 40 miles up hill -- but the wind is just too much for me. The ride was spectacular though. Horses, cows, lot's of pine trees. It looked a lot like Eastern Oregon to me.

On second thought, I may make my way back up that mountain. Only next time I'm leaving the bike at home and running the thing. That'd be great! I bet I'd reach the summit faster than I biked it.

(Heading to the summit above the tree line.)

IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES

2010-09-15T21:35:00.002-10:00

Yes, it's true. We are thinking about getting a divorce.

Not Karen and I. It's my gold-digging, money-hungry, ungrateful bike and I. All that she-devil wants me to do is spend money on her. New racing wheels, new chain, new tires, new tape, new, new, new, buy, buy, buy ... And today was the breaking point. I was out on my ride when my bike -- that beeotch! -- screamed at me "BUY ME NEW PEDALS!" Without giving me a chance to argue she forced me to turn around and slowly make my way back home on broken pedals.

(diamonds, gold, silver! Is there no end to her vanity?)

I decided then enough is enough. As soon as Ironman is over, she's packing her bike bag and moving out. She's taken enough blood, sweat and tears, and money from me. If anyone is interested in a money-hungry, greedy bike ...

STATS
But seriously, today I hit a milestone that only a numbers geek probably appreciates. I surpassed all the miles I biked the entire year last year in only 9 and a half months. I also surpassed my total run miles from all of 2009 last week as well. Here’s the numbers:

BIKE 2009
239 hours 4,119 miles

BIKE 2010 (Through Sept. 15)
243 hours 4,137 miles

RUN 2009
156 hours 900 miles

RUN 2010 (Through Sept. 15)
161 hours 958 miles

Swimming is a different story, however. I’ve actually swam a lot less this year than last:

SWIM 2009
178 hours 415,788 yards (236 miles)

SWIM 2010 (Through Sept. 14)
113 hours 300,925 yards (171 miles)

Take care and be safe out there.

XXXII

2010-09-07T20:29:00.002-10:00

32.

Thirty-two. A number.

32 the year: Jesus was crucified. Peter (traditionally) becomes the first pope.

32 is the fifth power of 2 and the atomic number for germanium. It's the freezing point for water.

"32" is the name of a song by Mr. Mister.

32 was the winning car number of Ray Harroun in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911 and the jersey numbers of Magic Johnson, Karl Malone, Bill Walton, Sandy Koufax and David Beckham among numerous others. Did you know a soccer ball is made with 32 panels of leather?

There are 32 Kabbalistic Paths of Wisdom. It's a full set of teeth and the code for international direct dial phone calls to Belgium. Chew on those waffles for a while.

A comic book's average number of pages? 32

The New York Times streak of Page One stories on Abu Ghraib ended at 32 days in a row.

The number 32 is used 11 times in the Bible.

The number 60 is used 32 times in the Bible.

In the Gospel of Matthew, the expression "kingdom of Heaven" is used 32 times.

In Numerology: 32. A lucky number. Usually associated with combinations of people and nations. The person should hold to his own judgment and opinions, if not, his 'plans are likely to become wrecked by the stubbornness and stupidity of others. It is a favourable number if it appears in connection with future events.

Future events?

My future event is the Ironman World Championship.

My 32? That's how many days until Ironman.

A LONG ALOHA FRIDAY

2010-09-01T21:49:00.007-10:00

Friday is a long day for me. It starts at 5 a.m. with a little 3,000 yard swim at Masters. Then a little 6 1/2 hour bike ride, about 110 miles depending on the wind. After all of that I get to go to work until 11 p.m. and then finally bed, but just for a few hours. Then I get up around 5 a.m. again and go for a quick 18-mile run. Ah, the joys of training for Ironman. Just a few more weeks then it's taper time and vacation and lots of sleep and rest and hydration. Then the big day! (butterflies are stirring ...)

Oh, you may not believe this, but today (Thursday) on my run a butterfly flew up beside me and joined me for about a quarter mile just floating along beside me. What do you think that means? One escaped from my stomach? Good luck? Bad luck? Float like butterfly, bees like to sting? Who knows? Any how, it was pretty cool having this beautiful butterfly cruising beside me for a bit.

A thought for today:
A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, 'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.'

The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.

The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.

The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell.'
They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one.

There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.

The holy man said, 'I don't understand.'

'It is simple,' said the Lord. 'It requires but one skill. You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.'

37 days until Ironman and today my stomach is full of butterflies, minus the one that got away. Where's the confidence of yesterday?

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

2010-09-01T21:31:00.004-10:00

I wonder who the first person was to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?"

38 DAYS UNTIL IRONMAN! Holy cow!

SHAKESPEARE FOR THE SOUL

2010-08-30T22:29:00.002-10:00

Less than six weeks until Ironman and I’m really fighting the panic that’s trying to overtake me. With only about four weeks of productive training left, my training distances are getting long, really long. Saturday was a 6 1/2 hour ride, Sunday was a 3 hour run and they just get more intense over the next few weeks.

I’ve been training without music this year. Not so much by choice, all my music devices seemed to have broken all at the same time, but I see this as a training opportunity so no worries. It just makes those long rides and runs extremely boring. I have been reciting a lot of Shakespeare though. (Did I ever mention that when I was in high school I did a comic book on “The Taming Of The Shrew”? I also took Shakespeare in college.)

The verses that have been running through my mind lately have been from “Henry V.” Riding along the Ironman World Championship course I can’t help but think how lucky I am to be able to live here and how there are so many people out there who would love to be able to ride the bike course just once in their life. And that thought always leads to Shakespeare and Henry and the Saint Crispin’s Day speech.

I just know parts of it. It’s a long speech and I’d love to be able to memorize the whole thing, but that ain’t gonna happen. But the parts I do remember are the good parts and on those days when I’m riding the hills to Hawi and the sun is shining and there’s not much traffic or wind and someone rides by me that I know, I think of a few lines and it always makes me smile:
“This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall never go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered,
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers”

***

NBC re-aired the 2009 Ironman World Championship broadcast a couple of weeks ago and I think I got more comments about being on the show this time than when they aired it originally in December 2009.

My segment, which comes near the end of the show, begins by showing me walking into the water getting ready for the swim.

Someone asked me after last week’s broadcast what I was thinking while walking out into the water. They said it looked like I was either scared to death or deep in thought.

I told them I was just really focused but honestly I was scared to death. I was also in awe of just being there and, believe it or not, a few verses of Shakespeare were running through my head.

I remember as I descended those steps and looking out over the thousands of people lining the sea wall and thinking “this is so freaking cool.” Then I saw the nearly 2,000 swimmers in the water and I thought, “I’m going to die!”

That’s when Shakespeare popped into my head. “Henry V” to be exact. And although I don’t know Shakespeare well enough to quote it verbatim, I know enough to twist a few lines into a calming mantra.

The lines that began running through my mind as I walked out into the water were:
“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more ... But when the blast of war blows in our ears, then imitate the action of the tiger -- stiffen the sinew, summon up the blood, disguise fear with rage”

That may not be exactly how Shakespeare wrote it but those words summoned up enough courage for me to walk out into 2,000 other maniacs just waiting for “the blast of war” to blow in our ears.

My favorite part of the “Breach speech,” however, is what I concentrated on while waiting for the cannon to fire:
“I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game’s afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!’ Oh, and don’t for get me, God ...” BOOM!

BECOMING LANCE

2010-08-17T21:49:00.008-10:00

Training for Ironman is a time-consuming chore. And as the race draws closer, it’s practically becoming a full-time job. Some days I spend more than eight hours training then rush home, shower and head off to work. That leaves little time for sleep, except for this week. This week is a recovery week. shorter training, a little less effort and a little more sleep.

(“I started fast and hard, it was difficult with a hard climb and long downhill with headwind. It was a 100 percent effort all the way but that's OK.” - Lance Armstrong)

I love and hate recovery weeks. I love the rest and easier efforts but I hate the draw of the couch and fighting that urge to take it too easy. I’m just a lazy couch potato and it’s easy for me to back off training and way too hard to start it back up.

So this week I’m dealing with the love/hate thing with recovery while fighting off the butterflies that are beginning to show up every time I think about how close race day is getting.

(“You have to live with the crashes, and hope you don't get into one.” - Lance Armstrong)

Last week was a run-focused week. Running every day while working on much-needed form. My long runs are up to 16 or so miles with an end goal of 20 to 23 miles.

The week before that was a bike-focused week. Yep, that’s right. Every day on the bike. That’s on top of the usual swimming and running distances.

I’m up to over 100 miles on the bike for my long rides and spending lots of time trying to become as efficient as possible on the bike. Trying to get as aero as I can and trying all kinds of nutrition that will work the best on race day.

(“If you worried about falling off the bike, you’d never get on." - Lance Armstrong)

One recipe that’s showing promise comes straight from Lance Armstrong and Team Radio Shack. I figure since I’m starting to put in all the miles like Lance ( yeah right) I might as well try what he eats on the bike.

(“If you consider my situation: a guy who comes back from arguably, you know, a death sentence, why would I then enter into a sport and dope myself up and risk my life again? That's crazy. I would never do that. No. No way.” - Lance Armstrong)

I have a couple of more long rides to test out the recipe they call sweet rice cake (sticky rice, eggs, ham or bacon, brown sugar, soy sauce and balsamic vinegar) but things are looking good. Easy to make, easy to carry, easy to eat and digest.

(“Anything is possible. You can be told that you have a 90-percent chance or a 50-percent chance or a 1-percent chance, but you have to believe, and you have to fight.” - Lance Armstrong)

The last week of the Tour de France last month I began an art project drawing posters of the top riders from this year.

(Oh, about the title of this post. I wasn't talking about myself becoming Lance, but the drawing slowly turning into Lance Armstrong)

The drawing scattered through out this post are my best attempts at drawing Lance. It's a slow process using the computer to draw someone. Below are a few more drawings.

I thought it was appropriate to have his yellow jersey dissolve into the white jersey (which he won as best young rider) and fade into the number 39. If you watched the Tour this year you'll know the significants of the number 39 for Andy Schleck.

BUTTERFLIES AND SUFFERING

2010-08-16T13:03:00.005-10:00

The butterflies have landed with 54 days until October 9th.

Fifty-four days.

54.

ONLY 54 days until October 9th.

October 9th.

That's the day.

The day of my second Ironman.

My second Ironman World Championship in Kona.

In Kona, Hawaii.

Where I live.

Where I train.

Where I learned to swim.

Where I learned to run long.

Bike long.

And train long.

My home course.

My home.

With only 54 days left the butterflies are arriving by the boat load and taking up residence right where they did last year at this time - in my stomach. Not sure why I'm beginning to get nervous though. Other than the fact that there is only 54 days until race day and only about 40 days of effective training days left.

My training is on track - sort of. Injuries are under control - sort of. I even ran my fastest 5k since I was in school with sub-7 minute miles. That's amazing for these old legs. And this year I feel like a well-seasoned Ironman athlete. I know what to expect this time and, on the good side, I won't have TV cameras following me around at this ironman, but on the bad side, I won't have TV cameras following me around.

Although having TV cameras stuck a few inches from your face makes it hard to concentrate on the race they did help me get through the 140.6 miles last year. Especially the last half of the marathon when I really needed a boost. The camera guys showed up at the energy lab to pace me along, film me and asking me questions. It helped me make it out of the energy lab and on to the home stretch. I will miss that this year. But this year I'm going to embrace the experience. It'll probably be my last Ironman and I want to enjoy the suffering as much as possible.

Enjoy the suffering? I like that. That may be my motto this year. My mantra. Of course, I first have to wrangle up all those butterflies and get them under control, but after that, I'll work on enjoying the suffering.

A LITTLE ARMY TRAINING, SORT OF ...

2010-08-04T17:05:00.006-10:00

I got to do a little training on Oahu a few days ago. It was a nice change of pace from always training around Kona. I also did miles of walking at the Honolulu Zoo and I even managed to slip in a short run up the side of a mountain on Sunday while dodging a few stray bullets.

(My running destination is near the peak of that jungly mountain in the distance)

Last weekend Karen, Rebecca and I flew to Oahu to visit Rachael and Madison. We did a little sightseeing, went to the zoo and Pearl Harbor and I did a little exploring on the run. Here's a few photos from my run on Schofield Barracks.

(An old Army bunker or what?)

(The road runs right next to the rifle range and I couldn't help but duck a little and run a little faster through here.)

(Getting closer. You can't tell from the photos but this is quite an uphill climb.)

CLIMBING KALOKO

2010-07-20T21:18:00.007-10:00

Sunday was the annual Run Till Ya Ralph/Pedal Till Ya Puke race up Kaloko. As Peaman says, "There's only one hill at this race. It just happens to be 6.5 miles long."

Participants get their choice of torture; you can run it (or walk, which is sometimes faster) or bike it. According to my Garmin, the bottom of Kaloko is at just over 1,500 feet elevation and zigzags 6.5 miles up to just over 4,500 feet. I think the average gradient is somewhere around 15 percent.

From the start of the race, the very first step, your lungs are burning, your legs are burning and you'd swear the air is so thin that the elevation must be more like 10,000 feet. Your heart rate sky rockets from the start and never settles down until you reach the finish. It's a 100 percent effort all the way to the top no matter how slow you chose to go. Walking provides no relief. Only stopping gives your body the relief it screams for, but where's the fun in that.

It’s hard to explain how steep Kaloko is. Even pictures don’t do it justice. Sort of like watching the Tour de France race through the Alps and hearing the commentators describe it, but you just can’t comprehend it unless you’ve been there.

All I can say about how steep Kaloko is is that Lance Armstrong once said there’s nothing as steep as Kaloko on the Tour.

Here's my stats from Sunday's race:
The top yellow zigzag line is the map of Kaloko winding it’s way up Hualalai Volcano.
The gray line is the elevation gain of Kaloko. As you can see it’s a pretty steady climb. And the red line is my heart rate.

Although pictures can’t really do Kaloko justice, here’s one Karen snapped off about half way up.

OK, that’s a little camera magic. It’s not really that steep but when you run or ride it it feels that steep.

If you ever get a chance to run or ride up Kaloko give it a try. Just remember, once you make it to the top, you still have to survive the descent ... Good luck!

Here's a few photos Karen took from race day.

Just one long hill.

Sometimes running is faster than riding.

At the finish line.

Some people have too much energy. Doug finished by running backwards.

A younger runner.

The start.

The finish.

A long line of runners and bikers.

A rider playing "paper boy." This hill reduces you to having to have to zigzag back and forth across the road like a paper delivery person just so you won't fall over.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

2010-07-03T18:05:00.003-10:00

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.

He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing taxes on us without our consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Source: The Pennsylvania Packet, July 8, 1776

-------------

If these words were written today and sent to Washington, the author no doubt would receive a friendly visit from HomeLand Security. The sad thing is, a lot of these "facts" are relevant today with our government.

TEAM LOTTO

2010-07-01T19:37:00.001-10:00

“You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?” - Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry Callahan

Every year Ford Ironman World Championship competitors from the Big Island get together for a "team" photo for the newspaper. The athletes get a T-shirt that proclaims the year of the event, that they are a competitor in the event, and that they are a member of "Team Big Island."

Ironman, or World Triathlon Corporation- its owner, continued to drive a wedge between itself and Big Island athletes after announcing last week that beginning with next year's Rohto Ironman 70.3 Hawaii (Honu), all state and Big Island slots (20 for state and 24 for Big Island) for the Ford Ironman World Championship will no longer be awarded through competition, but will be distributed through a lottery. 28 slots will be awarded for winners of the age groups.

The local newspaper quoted Ironman officials saying how it will help athletes from Hawaii who, under the current system, would never qualify for the world championship will now have a chance and how the ones who have been qualifying will just have to step up their game and win the age group slots (my words, their meaning).

Ironman officials say that the new system will give those in highly competitive age groups a chance to "win" a slot. On one hand I agree with the lotto system. It would give some of those athletes a chance who are competing against top-notched age groupers from the Big Island. But on the other hand, there are those athletes who train 20 or more hours a week leading up to Honu who still can't compete with the best athletes in their age group, but can compete with the best athletes in their age group from the Big Island. For those athletes now, all those hours of training get them no more closer to an Ironman world championship spot than those athletes who train 5 or 10 hours a week and plan on only "completing" the half Ironman with a goal of only beating the cut-off time. To me, it's as if Ironman took the competiitveness out of Honu for Big Island and state athletes.

It also opens the door for those brand new to triathlon to qualify for a world championship slot. I would have loved that when I first started but how many times have we seen newbies do an Ironman and then get burned out and walk away from the sport rather than take their time, build up the mentality, endurance and experience before trying an Ironman, let a lone Kona?

If WTC really were concerned about fairness, maybe they should have just forked over new slots for a lottery. Or at least they could have set a limit on how many times, or years in a row, a Big Island or state resident could qualify for the world championship.

Oh, I got a glimpse at next year's T-shirt for the newspaper photo.

Go Team Lotto!!!

OK. enough kidding. At least the Ironman fiefdom is trying to make some changes that will encourage more people to give triathlons a try in hopes of making it to the big show. Here's to next year's Team Lotto. Hope you all are feeling lucky.

Oh, and by the way, if anyone knows how you train for luck let me know. My whole training strategy has to change for next year. Instead of carrying gels, gatorade and salt tabs, I'm stocking up on four-leaf clovers, rabbit foots, or is it feet?, heck, I'll carry the whole darn rabbit if that's what it takes, and eating Lucky Charms cereal every day.

Good luck

TIME

2010-06-20T22:03:00.005-10:00

I've been planning out my training this past week for Ironman world championship in October. I remember how burned out I got last year as I trained for my first Ironman and how I nearly walked away from it all (you can read about that whole fiasco here). So this year I have decided to take a couple of weeks off and re-energize, letting my body recover some. After six months of six-days-a-week training, it's been nice relaxing a little. The pressure of qualifying for the big show is off and mentally I am beat. It's been a long training season so far.

When I take time off from training, however, there's always the danger of me reverting back to the couch potato I once was. One lesson I've learned is that after being a couch potato for all those years, it is way too easy to slip back into that lifestyle. Being lazy by nature doesn't help either.

I haven't been completely pedestrian these past couple of weeks, though. I've hit the weights hard, trying to get a good base with some strength training. I've also kept up with a some running and even raced a Peaman event this morning (Sunday). A three-quarter-mile swim and a 5K run. But my official training for Ironman begins tomorrow (Monday).

But with less than 12 weeks of effective training before the world championship there's no time to take anymore time off. After all, it takes time to build up to 6,000 yard swims, 7 hour bike rides and 3 1/2 hour runs. An adviser to Franklin D. Roosevelt once wrote, “Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put that plan into action.” And ready or not, it's time to take my first step toward the finish line of the 2010 Ironman world championship. It'll take a lot of steps to get there. Last year I figured it took me from Honolulu to beyond New York City, more than 5,000 miles of swimming, biking and running, to cross the finish line of that 140.6-mile race.

See you out there.

NEVER GIVE UP

2010-06-11T22:17:00.004-10:00

“To forget one's purpose is the commonest form of stupidity.” Nietzsche always had a way of getting right to the point.

On race day I forgot my purpose for, oh, about 30 seconds. But that was all it took.

I know this is a little late but I've been chillin' and trying not to think about the race too much this week. But here's my experience at the Rohto Ironman 70.3 Hawaii (Honu).

Frustration and stupidity! That describes how I feel about my race. Stupidity because I blew the swim and frustration because I let that dictate the rest of my day. On the good side, I gained a lot of experience in learning how to deal with emotions during a race.

This was the first race I haven't gotten a personal best overall time on since I started triathlons. I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later, though. It's also the first race I got emotional over at the finish. What's up with that?

THE TAPER
I actually tapered perfectly for this race. I felt strong and fresh on race day. I built up my training to a peak workout three weeks out from race day then backed off slightly the following week. I cut down the distance but kept up the intensity. Two weeks out I cut more distance but kept the workouts intense with some speed work and a little endurance. Race week I cut the distance even more with only one 40-mile ride and an hour and a half run early in the week then a day off, followed by short rides and runs on the trainer and tready with some interval work to complete the week. I made sure I kept hydrated all week and carbo loaded as well (my favorite part of tapering). I let coach Steve take care of the swim taper, which worked out perfectly. I think I swam 1,500 yards the day before the race with the last couple of 75s at race pace. All-in-all my body recovered nicely while avoiding shutting down all systems, which has been an issue in the past.

THE SWIM
I felt good entering the water and on the warm up. I was up front on the start line and to the left of center where I always like to start. That way I can grab some fast feet and tag along for as long as I can and get clear of the main pack that always seems to slow down about 200 yards out. This is where my stupidity begins: (Please, no lectures. I learned my lesson.) I was all set to push the start button on my Garmin watch when the cannon went off. My whole race was figured out in my head and I was depending on my watch to provide me with all kinds of info throughout the day besides just the time. Heart rate, pace, when to take salt, gels, etc. All I can say is technology sucks.

(A great video of the first turn of the race. Notice how many swimmers actually cut the corner and how violent it is on the turns)

Of all the times for my watch to fail, it failed on this race. The cannon fired, I pushed the button and ... nothing. I know, I know. I should have just forgot the watch and took off and everything would have been fine. Well, as I said, stupidity. Instead of swimming, as swimmers blasted around me, I spent a good 30 seconds (a lifetime in a swim start) trying to get my watch going. I finally gave up and took off. But it was too late. After about 4 or 5 strokes I hit a wall of flailing arms and legs and floating torsos. A literal sea of humanity. I had to crawl over people to go anywhere. People were trying to swim, as was I, but I couldn't even get my arms into the water. Someone was crawling up my back and threatening to push me under and panic was setting in. Panic that I would drown and panic that I was getting so far behind that I would never get through the swim.

My only choice was to crawl over the people in front of me. I honestly don't remember swimming more than about 50 yards the whole first leg of the swim, which was about 400 yards or so long. I mostly just treaded water as the pack inched along or crawled trying not to drown.

By the first turn I was minutes behind where I should have been. Just after the first turn the crowd started breaking up and I finally could swim. On the back stretch I opened up and swam as hard as I could for as long as I could. This was the first swim race I've done that my swim muscles were sore the next day, that's how hard I swam trying to make up time. When I came out of the water and saw my time, 37 minutes, 48 seconds, I was bummed, beyond bummed, and that's where the frustration came in.

(How frustrated was I with my swim? I think my look says it all.)

Climbing out of the water a good 5 minutes slower than I planned I lost all concentration and began dwelling on my mistakes in the swim. I made my way to my bike but still couldn't concentrate on getting past the swim. Even Karen and the boys said later I looked lost or confused in T1.

THE BIKE
On the bike and on Queen K. I found myself still fiddling with my watch trying to get it started. I nearly ran some poor guy off the road at one point. After that I accepted my fate of no watch, no pacing aid and just went on perceived effort. So with the whole swim and watch fiasco behind me I focused on the bike. I tucked down into the aerobars and took off. I pounded the pedals and pushed my pace harder than normal for the first 13 miles or so. I felt strong and was glad my taper worked.

Nothing exciting happened on the bike this year. No crashes, no pushing or shoving. Just riding. I had missed the pack I should have come out of the water with. The wind slowed me down some here and there. It was a head wind on Queen K that turned into a gusty cross wind but I stayed in the earo position and overcame my fear of being blown off the bike.

On the way down from Hawi, my quads started cramping just as they did during Ironman. I tried squeezing my leg with my hand and that helped stave it off some. I finally tried standing up and pedaling and that seemed to work to get rid of it.

It happened again just before getting back to the resort at the end of the bike course and standing up pedaling solved the problem. My time on the bike was slower than last year but I felt stronger and I felt like I was riding harder so I'm just going to blame the slower time on the wind. Bike time: 2:52:21 last years time was 2:45 but no wind.

THE RUN
This is where I really needed my watch. I had trained by using the watch to track my pace and heart rate. AS I ran out of T2 I yelled over to Karen that my watch wasn't working. She knew how dependent I was on using my watch for pacing and I needed a sympathetic ear, even if it was only for a second.

Since I was passed on the bike by one of my main competitors for the Ironman slot from the Big Island I figured I either lost my chance for Ironman or I had to HTFU and run as hard as I could for as long as I could, basically my theme for the day. Shortly after starting the run, I saw one of my Ironman slot opponents just in front of me and passed him in the first mile. Now all I had to worry about was the other 7 or so Big Island competitors in my age group vying for the coveted Ironman slot.

I only knew who one other guy in my age group was so I kept an eye out for him. Just as I entered the long "road to hell" section I saw him exiting. He was at least 3 miles in front of me and I had less than 5 miles to go. I knew then that if my age group were to get only one Ironman slot I wouldn't be the one to get it. A mix of despair, frustration, disappointment and anger swirled inside me. At times I felt like giving up and other times I felt like giving it my all.

(Someone once said, "disappointment is the nurse of wisdom," and I'm definitely a lot wiser after this experience)

As I approached the finish line I remember wondering why, at that moment, I wasn't more upset that I probably didn't make Ironman. I just felt sort of numb about it. When I crossed the finish line, as you can tell from the photo, I wasn't happy about my race. Karen asked me if I was all right and all at once all the emotions from the day flooded out of me. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't talk. I was just glad I had sunglasses on ...

In the end, my run time was faster than last year but slower than my race goal. But again, I felt strong for most of the run and I was happy with that. Run time: 2:06:34, last years time was 2:13:45. I finished 14th out of 68 in my age group. Not great but I moved up a few spots from last year.

Oh, by the way, I did qualify for the big show in October. We just happened to get two Ironman slots in our age group and I finished second. I guess the saying, "never give up" is my new motto.

“The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.” - Robert Kiyosaki

RACE DAY COMETH

2010-06-04T17:59:00.003-10:00

Tomorrow is race day. The Rohto Ironman 70.3 Hawaii, or Honu as we call it. I'm all registered and have my number. The bike is delivered to T1 at Hapuna, Missed most of the mandatory meeting so I hope I didn't miss anything new. I've eaten dinner and now me and the fam are watching "ALice in Wonderland" and blogging. The butterflies are beginning to swarm and the second guessing my training is coming on strong.

This is the race I'm trying to qualify for the Ironman World Championship with, and therefore, I'm pretty nervous about the whole affair. But the truth is, I'd still be nervous even if I had already qualified.

I always seem to get a bad case of the jitters before every race, even our Peaman races.

My racing top says it all. I would have put Proud Grandpa too if it would have fit. I'm race number 219. If you see me out there give me a shout.

(VIDEO)

Hapuna Beach. This is where we will swim 1.2 miles at 7 a.m. tomorrow. If you look closely you can see the orange swim buoys that mark the swim course.

Good luck to all the racers tomorrow - all 1,500 or so of us. I hope everyone of us has a great race and enjoy the day. See you out there.

JUST GRAND

2010-05-30T16:18:00.007-10:00

Madison Lynn Permenter

May 23rd our daughter, Rachael, became a mother and Karen and I became grandparents. So, being the proud grandpa that I am here are more than a few photos of the cutest granddaughter in the world. (photos by Karen)

Heeeeere's MADDIE!

Mom and daughter

Grandma and granddaughter

Auntie Rebecca and Maddie

Grandpa and granddaughter

My girls

LABOR OF LOVE

2010-05-22T13:38:00.001-10:00

Water leaking, water gushing; 2 centimeters, 4 centimeters; dilation, balloon inflation; IV fluid, amniotic fluid:, stretching, tearing, new mom forbearing; contraction, distraction, uterine inaction; tears of pain, tears of joy; soon we'll say "it's a girl, not a boy." waiting, waiting our breath abating ... a gift of God, new life creating.

Our daughter Rachael is at the hospital in labor. I'll post more when our new granddaughter is born ...

GO FOR IT!

2010-05-11T21:30:00.003-10:00

Three and a half weeks until Ironman 70.3 Hawaii - Honu.

"That's the way to run, up front until you die." One of the great high school cross country coaches, Joe Newton, said that a few years ago, and that's how I plan to race Honu. Well, I won't be up front but I'll be giving it my all, which I normally hold back a little so we'll see how long I can hang on for.

'YOUR DEVICE IS IN A BAD STATE'

2010-05-09T20:30:00.001-10:00

"YOUR DEVICE IS IN A BAD STATE."

"I couldn't agree more," was my first thought as I read the message on my computer that had popped up when I plugged in my Garmin Forerunner watch after training today. That message pops up every so often when I don't quite get the watch plugged in all the way.

I don't know about my watch, but that is exactly how I am feeling physically and mentally. I'm in a bad state. I'm drained and with the race only a month away training is only going to get more intense over the next two weeks. Longer, harder, hotter and faster until my peak training day.

Today on my 10-mile run I felt like giving up. Just walking away. I seem to feel like that about a month out from a race. The pressure of the race and life, doubts about my training and just plain old lack of motivation wear me down and cause me to wonder if all the effort is worth it. After all, it's only a race and it's supposed to be fun, not work. The couch is calling these days louder than the road and it is taking everything I have to keep pounding the miles away.

I have a training plan and a race goal and somewhere between last year's race time and my race goal is reality. Somewhere between now and the starting gun that reality will shift either closer to my goal or closer to last year's time depending on the effort I make over these few short weeks.

As fatigue and the pressures of life mount over the coming weeks, my grit, endurance and will power will be put to the test. If I fail and give up, shortening my workouts and lessening my efforts, race day will be a sufferfest and I'll be lucky to match last year's time. If I endure for just a few more weeks, hang in there and complete my plan, race day will be, well, it'll still be a sufferfest, but a well-earned sufferfest with a whole different meaning.

As the Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero once said, "Great is the power of habit. It teaches us to bear fatigue and to despise wounds and pain." So my plan is to just hang in there and stick to my training plan and even though my Garmin watch is in "A Bad State," come race day, hopefully, my mind and body will be just where they should be.

PEAS IN A POD

2010-05-05T14:09:00.000-10:00

Here are a few images from Sunday's Peaman race. Sunday's event was a guys-only race. Following the race was a pinata smash for the kids. Check out the video below. (If you are reading this on Facebook you'll have to go to my blog to see the video.)

Next Sunday (Mother's Day) will be a girls-only race, or if you are 19 or under and a boy you can also do the race.

One of the kids trying to break open the pinata.

Peaman giving directions before the swim.

Peaman as colorful as always.

Me talking to Rob before the swim.

At this Peaman you get shot at the finish apparently ...

In Hawaiian, "pau" - pronounced pow - means finished. Oops! where's the copy editor?

Peaman was kind enough to honor me with the "Perpetual Pea" award. So I get to keep the ancient healing stone until the next Peaman before it is passed onto someone else. Thank-you Peaman. Proudly displayed on our bookshelf.

After the race.

HILL WEEK

2010-04-28T20:55:00.000-10:00

This week is hill week in my training. It started off Monday with a 3,700 yard swim, which always feels uphill, followed by riding Kam III 9 times followed by running it once. Kam III is 1 1/3-mile-long and all up hill. Check out the photo below. It charts the elevation along with my heart rate for the bike portion. Nine fun-filled trips up and down. Fun stuff. As you can see, my effort matched the elevation almost exactly ... weird. As you can see every third trip up was the hardest effort. Below is how I rode it.

(My heart rate nearly matches the elevation gain and loss)

Here's my workout:
I broke it down into 3 sets of 3 trips up the hill. The first trip up was basically a normal hill climb at about 80 percent effort the whole way. The only rules were keep it in the big chain ring, no standing up and stay in the aero position for as long as possible.

The second trip up was in the small chain ring spinning but at about 60 percent effort. No standing up and stay in the aero position the whole way.

The third trip up was the killer. large chain ring and the hardest gear I could muster without falling over and standing up the entire hill. It was like doing single-leg squats for 1 1/3 miles. I used my arms as much as I could to pull the bike over the pedals. It was a total body effort. Well, that was it. I did those three trips three times. I coasted down the hill as part of my recovery then rested less than a minute at the bottom, usually waiting on traffic so I could cross.

It's a tough ride and I'm grateful that Rob joined me, otherwise I probably wouldn't have made it nine times.

After the ride it was off the bike and on to an hour run. The first part of the run included once up Kam III which isn't nearly as rough as riding it. Coming down was more painful. Then I ran out to End of the World and back to my vehicle. All-in-all it was a tough day.

Tuesday was just a run up Walua Trail. 3.25 miles up and the same down. Rough on old knees coming down but a good workout. Today was just a 40 miler on the bike hitting the hills on Queen K at race effort and cruising the rest of the route. I still have an hour run and Masters swimming today as well. Again, both will feel uphill even if they aren't.

(Walua Road, a great place to walk, bike or run.)

Thursday will be another trip to Kam III followed by a run and Friday will be swim (3,000-plus yards), bike (4 hours) and run (1 hour). And then on Saturday a nice long, hot 2 hour 15 min. run and a Peaman race on Sunday. Well, that's my week. What's on your schedule?

Next week I start the hard training days. Hitting the Honu bike course and running some golf course type trails afterwards. Now that's going to hurt.

(It must be springtime. Lots of baby chicks with hens watching over them on Walua Road.)

BUSY MONTH

2010-04-17T13:29:00.001-10:00

April is always a busy month for us. Three birthdays and our wedding anniversary. Add to that, all the training for the half Ironman and throw in working full time and it gets a little hectic around our house in April.

Mine, Karen's and our son, Jon, all have birthdays in April. Squeezed in between the b-days is our wedding anniversary (April 8). Thirty-one years this year. Below is a video I put together for Karen that kind of shows our life over the past 31 years.

Happy 27th birthday to Jon. We love you. And Happy "30th" birthday Karen. You are amazing and wonderful and I'm proud of everything you have accomplished.

Training for the half Ironman is becoming more time consuming. This week I spent the most hours training that I have since training for Ironman last year. All this is building to my peak training day in mid-May, then tapering down to race day June 5th.

Happy Anniversary Karen.

Karen after a long day of shopping.

Aaron on his way out of Target.

Karen and Rebecca looking at scrapbooking stuff.

My one and only triathlon award - 3rd place at Lavaman - on display at home.

Mauna Lani on Queen K. That's where Honu is held.

Self-portrait as Rob and I ride out Queen K to Mauna Lani.

Rob riding along a very windy Queen K.

A DAY OF FIRSTS AND A THIRD

2010-04-01T08:52:00.003-10:00

Sorry this took so long to post. It's been a busy week. Here is my view of my third Lavaman race.

I've got to say, this race was one of the most painful races I've had. This year's Lavaman triathlon held a lot of firsts for me. It was the first race I really felt like I was ready for. The first race I have ever used racing wheels and tires. The first race I tried to actually compete in rather than just complete and the first triathlon I have ever made the podium.

Even though I got a personal best in all three events and placed 3rd in my age group, I'm somehow disappointed in my race. I feel I could have gone harder in the swim and the bike but mentally I backed off. On the run I made myself slow down so I wouldn't re-injure the plantar fasciitis in my right foot. Even though by the fifth mile I was pretty much running on fumes.

I guess because this is the first race I've actually tried to be competitive in my age group it's made me a little more critical of my performance. Just think, a year ago, even a few months ago, I never would have imagined being on the podium at any triathlon. See what completing an Ironman can do for you. Confidence is a huge factor in racing. Well, here's my race notes:

THE SWIM 25:20 (133rd overall)

Not sure what was up this year but it was a pretty lame starting system. No cannon, no gun, no horn, just an odd "10, 4, 2, go." And in the water you couldn't even hear the starter say "go." At least I couldn't. I was on the left side (shore side) up front waiting for the start when the swim patrol guys started waving their arms and yelling "GO! GO! GO!" Us swimmers just kind of looked at each other and finally someone started swimming so we all took off, uncertain if we were supposed to or not.

(Coming out of the water next to Kona boy Jim Raguel in the background. We seem to exit the water together on every race.)

I was in the 3rd wave and each wave started three minutes apart. We started catching the stragglers from the other two waves just about at the first turn. Just after the first turn I got smacked in the privates that made it difficult to swim for a minute or so, but the guy was getting a little too handsy for me so I kicked as hard as I could to get him to back off.

I never found any good feet to grab onto. Every time I would find someone they would slow down so I was pretty much on my own. Maybe it was just me but the turns all seemed sharper than a 90 degree turn, which made it hard for me to set a straight course coming off the turns.

Nothing exciting happened during the swim other than the hit to the man bits and the grope. Swam/glided over a couple of coral heads just inches below the surface. I had a terrible run up the beach to T1 mostly because of the plantar fasciitis.

(A painful day on the bike for me but I still got a PR on the course.)

BIKE 1:08:25 (87th overall)

I was shooting for a 1:05 or less on the bike but my legs just would not hold the pace. I had plenty of go but my mind would wander and I'd find myself going below my race pace. I can't even blame it on the wind since we really didn't have much on the bike. This was the first race I used racing wheels so I had lots of hope that I would crush the bike portion but no such luck.

RUN 52:04 (217th overall)

I had a terrible run. When I felt like speeding up the first three miles I made myself slow down so not to aggravate the plantars in my right foot. By the time I was ready to speed up on the 4th mile I barely could get down to below an 8 minute mile. By mile 5 I was running on fumes and by mile 6 I was really hurting. Being injured the past few months really showed on my run. But I'm determined to get past it and hit the run hard for Honu. Overall time: 2:30:15. About 4 minutes behind the first place guy.

(At the finish)

In the end I finished 123rd out of about 900 participants and 3rd in my age group. A few months ago I wrote on my blog that I would never get on the podium at any triathlon. I guess I proved myself wrong Sunday. But even with that I'm not satisfied with my race. I feel like I gave up mentally and that I had a lot more in my legs than my brain was telling me.

It's my run that is the weakest stage and that's what I'm going to be working on over the next 2 months before Honu. I've got to get my half marathon time down if I want to compete in my age group at the Hawaii half ironman.

CONGRATULATIONS

Way to go Karen! She got a personal best in the swim and on her overall time. Plus, she was smiling the entire race. Just check out her photos on Lavaman. She was number 699. Congratulations also to Penn Henderson who won his age group and also won the drawing for the Ironman slot. And congrats to all the other Big Island participants. Way to go and it was an honor to race with you all. See you out there.

AT THE RACES

2010-03-28T04:32:00.002-10:00

It;s 4:30 in the morning right now and getting ready to head out to Lavaman. I'll post a report after the race. Good luck to all the racers and especially to Karen today.

RUNNING DESOLATION HIGHWAY

2010-03-22T22:15:00.001-10:00

"A week of sweeping fogs has passed over and given me a strange sense of exile and desolation. I walk round the island nearly every day, yet I can see nothing anywhere but a mass of wet rock , a strip of surf, and then a tumult of waves." - from "The Aran Islands" by John M. Synge

The occasional cyclist pedals by, waves, then rides past me. No other runners, no pedestrians at all, are insight. My rhythmic breathing in time with my footfalls that I use to help me keep pace is lost in the sound of the passing automobiles and the sound of the wind. But today, mostly it's the wind I notice. Hot and howling, it gives no relief as I run along Queen Kaahumanu Highway past the Kona Airport toward the cemetery.

Out on Queen K where generally bikes occupy the shoulders, it is a lonely, desolate place to run. There are no other runners to chat with or try to chase down. Cyclists look at you as if you are from another world, and motorists simply don't look at you at all. Desolation Highway!

****

Have you ever biked the same course over and over again? Well, here on the Big Island we don't have many routes to choose from so we end up riding the same routes. That's Queen K for most of us. Most other routes here have narrow or no shoulders for riding and the way people drive on this island those are very dangerous alternatives.

I've switched things up a bit lately. Instead of biking on Queen K, I've been running. It's an odd sensation to run where you've only biked for years. Let me tell you, hills are a lot longer running them than biking them. Landmarks just seem to hang on the horizon when you are on foot versus cruising on your bike at 20-plus mph. And Queen K gets quite lonely when you run where no man (or woman) has run before. Down right desolate. Yes, I'm the crazy person you've seen running out where the bikes rule. From the Energy Lab to the cemetery, from the cemetery to the top of donkey hill, and so on. I'm slowly covering parts of Queen K that I've only biked over.

But here's a secret I've discovered and maybe it only works for my deranged mind, but by running the bike course, it's actually speeding me up on the bike. I don't know how or why but when I bike the parts of the course I've run on, my speed has increased on the bike. Maybe after suffering on foot for three or four times as long as I do on the bike over those parts, my mind is telling my body to pick it up and get done with the thing.

So here's my advice: Get out there and run your bike routes. You'll learn more about yourself and your routes than you ever wanted to know. Plus, and this is the fun part, your friends and other cyclists will think you are absolutely crazy. You'll notice that cyclists will give you plenty of room and possibly even cross to the other side of the road when they pass you. You'll also be amazed at all the keys, gels and gum you'll find along the way.

SOME BEACH

2010-03-12T09:01:00.006-10:00

Riding my bike down Queen K
Going hard, it's time to play
Singin' Margaritaville and minding my own
Some foreign car drivin' dude with a road rage attitude
Pulled up beside me talkin' on his cell phone
He started yelling at me like I did something wrong
He flipped me the bird an' then he was gone

Some beach
Somewhere
There's a big umbrella casting shade over an empty chair
Palm trees are growin' and a warm breezes a blowing
I picture myself right there
On Some beach, somewhere

Running through a parkin' lot, givin' it all I got
Tryin' to make my way with out gettin' hit
A man with a big cigar was getting into his car
I stopped and I waited for him to back up
From out of no where a Mercedes Benz
Came cruisin' up and flipped me again

Some beach
Somewhere
There's no where to go when you got all day to get there
There's frosty gatorades, and salty ocean spray just callin' out my name
On some beach
Somewhere

Well, you get the idea. It's been rough out on the Queen K lately. I've nearly been hit several times biking and running this week. Drivers here are notoriously disrespectful of pedestrians and cyclists. Yesterday I had such a close call on my bike at an intersection I'm pretty sure we traded paint. How drivers can look right at you, smile, then aim for you with their 2,000 pound vehicle like it's a game is beyond me.

Anyhow, I got so feed up with all the close calls (it really is a regular occurrence to have to dodge cars on Queen K) that I called it quits and headed to the beach for a nice quiet run. Away from traffic and obnoxious drivers yelling and honking. I wound up at the Energy Lab and Pine Trees beach with its long sandy trails and great ocean views. Here are a few photos from my run. Oh, and there's also a music video from Blake Shelton's "Some Beach" My theme song this week and inspiration for the first part of this post.

Be safe out there guys. Of all the hours I've spent training on Queen K this year I've only seen two police cars patrolling. It's totally an unenforced area so be careful. Eight people have died on island roads so far this year, double from last year. Two people have died in the past couple of weeks along the same part of Queen K we all ride on. And one cyclist has been hit at the Queen K Tesoro intersection a week or so ago.

Take care.

Some Beach by Blake Shelton

TRAINING DAYS

2010-03-08T21:57:00.005-10:00

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." ~T.S. Eliot

(The Rorschach test? OK, is it just me or does this look like a manta ray flying over the soccer field.)

It was a beautiful day in Kona today. Whales splashing around the ocean, White fluffy clouds making pictures in the sky, windy. Just plain beautiful.

Last week I dug myself into a hole with my training. I had hard days on the legs Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Last Monday I had hill work on the bike that included riding up Hualalai and 5 times up Kam 3, then an all-out TT down Alii. Tuesday was running hills and Wednesday was a 50 miler on the bike in a strong headwind and lots of fast intervals followed by a 3,000 yard swim. I was hurting and had exceeded my fitness level.

I had to take Thursday off just to recover. Even by Sunday I was still feeling the affects of over training. But it's hard to tell where that line is between pushing to a new level in your training and over training, at least for me it is. So this week I'm backing off just a little on the effort (not the distance) and hopefully I'll stay out of that hole I fell into last week.

This week I started out with a triathlon: A 3,000 yard swim, a 2 hour (40 miles) hard bike and a 30-minute hard run. Actually, everything today was hard. Even the headwind on the way out on the bike was what Kona is famous for. I think I averaged less than 13 mph most of the way out and only about 15 mph going down Scenic hill. I actually went faster up Scenic than down it today. But the plus side is I flew back to town at around 30 mph or so thanks to a good, strong tailwind. It was a good day to get some riding-in-the-wind practice and to build some mental toughness.

My run after the bike was an all out sufferfest. Jumping off the bike and running as fast as I could go and maintain for 30 minutes. I generally take it easy the first mile or so after getting off the bike but I decided enough of that. Time to make it hurt. I'm not going to get any faster by running slow. I'm hoping by Lavaman time (March 28) my body will adjust to the faster pace off the bike and I'll be able to hold my goal race pace for the entire distance. Well, that's the goal.

Tomorrow I'm running 10 miles of hills with a little all-terrain (gravel, lava rock and sand) running thrown in. The effort will be just enough to feel the burn and build some endurance with a close eye on my heart rate. Gotta stay outta that hole. As someone once said though, "Know your limits, but never stop trying to exceed them." So here's to good, and bad, training days. They all help us get stronger, only one hurts more than the other.

Stay safe out there and happy training.

EASY COMPANY

2010-03-02T20:46:00.002-10:00

Dear Easy Company Families and Friends,
26 February, 2010

Easy Company Marines and Sailors continue to strive to bring positive change and peace to these lands and to the people who have endured over 30 years of war and misery. The squads and platoons are patrolling 5 to 10 miles a day, denying the enemy historic safehavens, while at the same time connecting with the local population to help improve their irrigation canals and farm land that has suffered deterioration from the constant fighting. The Marines and Sailors work daily with local elders and mullahs to find solutions to their problems. The efforts have resulted in relationships between local leaders, farmers, ISAF and ANA soldiers that ultimately will allow peace to come to these war torn lands.

(Mail call)

The TEAM is working to reinforce the importance of education, sanitation, medical care, and agriculture techniques. The Marines and Sailors amaze me every day with their flexibility to conduct combat patrols, while at the same time, distributing school supplies to those who are willing to teach the young children. The threat they selflessly expose themselves to help a people they did not know four months ago is a testament to their maturity, understanding, and resolve. “First do no harm,” is not always easy when the young warriors patrol areas they fight in regularly just to visit local villages, but they do it. These are the actions that will build a foundation for continued success in 2/2’s battlespace. We have been conducting shuras weekly, with attendance ranging from 100-250 locals/elders. The participation of the population is a direct reflection of the daily patrols and contacts made by every Marine squad. Relationships with the people give them faith and helps the people believe that progress can be made. Without these relationships the enemy can continue to hide among the innocent people. A connection to a positive force brings a sense that their children may have a brighter future. Success is a ways off, but the months of fighting and countering improvised explosive devices has hurt the enemy tremendously. The Marines and Sailors have continued pressuring and pursuing the enemy despite several casualties of their leaders, friends, teammates, and family. The Marines remain strong and determined. The enemy is frustrated and desperate, and the Easy Company TEAM has not relented.

As our ties to the population continue to strengthen, we are starting to understand the survival mentality that mothers and fathers have been forced to live with for years. In fear, they have pulled their children from schools, disconnected from the government and a judicial system, and watched the deterioration of canals and farm lands. In this disconnected part of Afghanistan the enemy has preyed on the people, taking advantage of everything from their practice of religion to what they grow in the ground. The Marines of Easy Company and 2/2 are changing that, in hopes of giving the people something to believe in. Ultimately, it will be the peoples’ decision to unify and embrace the stabilization efforts, but we will continue to deny the enemy a vote in that decision.

On behalf of the Easy Company Team, thanks to all of the friends and family who continue to send messages of support and packages. The continued influx of hundreds of care packages keep us well stocked on all the basic necessities to make life a little easier in our patrol bases and combat outpost. We truly appreciate everything you do. About two weeks ago we were able to get phone/internet connection up at one of our bases. Hopefully this has allowed your loved ones easier access to call friends and family. Again, we have many bases, and have restricted phone use several times due to casualties, so not everyone has had the opportunity to use the Spawar system, but it is a move towards strengthening our connections to those we left back home.

Congrats:
The Friedman Family- Welcome to little Samuel Archibald. Born 24 Feb, 2010.
The Davis Family- Welcome to little De’Anna McKenzie. Born 26 Jan, 2010.
The Simonson Family- Welcome to little Gabrielle Jordan. Born 19 Feb, 2010.

March Promotions:
PFC:
Jeffrey Duque
LCpl :
Roy Arrington; John Badger
GySgt:
Clifford Farmer
1st Lieutenant:
Bradley Dalberg; Norman Renfro

Farewell and following seas to three of our EOD team members who completed their tour with Easy Company, after several months in Iraq before joining us in November 2009. Their heroic actions saved numerous Marine and civilian lives over here: SSgt Fulling, Sgt Fuchs, Sgt Works.

Our wounded Marines back in the United States recovering from injuries remain in all of our thoughts and prayers. Every one of those Marines is loved and missed by their brothers in Easy Company.

Semper Fidelis,
Captain Gorman
Easy Company
2d Battalion, 2d Marines
Regimental Combat Team-7
Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan

TODAY

2010-02-26T21:31:00.001-10:00

There's a song that goes something like this:
"Yes I understand
that every life must end;
as we sit alone
I know someday we must go;
-----------
A young girl died on Queen K Tuesday night on a section of road -- a hill-- that I've ridden my bike on countless times.

Over the years I've suffered climbing that hill. Raced up it, laughed up it and flew down it. Today, I rode past the place where the car she was riding in was hit head-on by a suspected drunk driver. Debris still littered the area and all I could think was what a sad place that hill is now. A young life wasted and a family torn apart. I didn't know 17-year-old Angela Apostadiro, but after reading about her she seemed like a typical teen looking forward to a bright future. Please keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. You can read the news article here.

Riding past that spot reminded me that we never know when our last day on earth will be. We always seem to think we have tomorrow and we always seem to take today for granted. So, even though we've all heard it a thousand times before, I'm reminding you again to not take today for granted. LIVE, LOVE AND LAUGH. FORGIVE AND FORGET, AND ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

Here's a poem I found online at heidi.blog-city.com. I don't know if the blog's author wrote it but I hope she doesn't mind that I'm sharing it.
------
If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep
I would tuck you in more tightly and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time
I could spare an extra minute,
to stop and say "I LOVE YOU"
instead of assuming you know I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you",
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day.

That you didn't take extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear.
Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank You," or "It's OK"
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.
--------

Be safe.

DUDE! THAT'S LANCE ARMSTRONG

2010-02-18T21:20:00.007-10:00

This week I got to photograph the greatest cyclist in the world. As you know, Lance Armstrong visits the Big Island a few times a year and it's pretty common when he is here to see him on his bike.

Yesterday was the first ever "Twitter Time Trial." A 14-mile race between Lance and 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship second place finisher Chris Lieto, plus anyone else who wanted to ride it. But I didn't want to ride it. I wanted to photograph it. I mean, this was a historic event: The true cyclist verses the true triathlete. Not only that, but it's the world's best cyclist against one of triathlon's best cyclist's.

I wanted to witness this and all I can say is they are fast. Very fast. They covered the distance in just over 18 minutes and in the end only 15 seconds separated the two. Lance at 18:35 and Chris at 18:50.

Here a few photos from the first ever "Twitter Time Trial"

Oh, one funny note: When I got to work yesterday I told my editor that I photographed Lance and he said they heard a call over the police scanner saying that there were "a dozen paparazzi follow Lance Armstrong down the Queen K." That was an actual call to the police! I think I was the only actual professional photog at the event ... Anyhow, here's a few photos:

Oh, that's me taking their photo at the end of the video, lol. Have a great day.

RILED UP IN KONA

2010-02-10T22:25:00.002-10:00

So there are a couple of ripples going through the triathlon community here in Kona. Nothing serious but here they are in no specific order:

TURN ON THE HEAT! The powers-that-be who run the island in all their wisdom (I'm being facetious - wisdom and county government are an oxymoron. Well, you can scratch off the "oxy" from that statement) have decided that heating our pool is a waste of money in our current economy.

True, the pool is a luxury item and I can see that spending taxpayers money to heat it rather than say, pay for council members traveling expenses to the mainland for "research" or to rent a bulldozer the county owned then sold then rented back for thousands of dollars a month, could be misconstrued as wasteful. (True story. The county sold a 1991 Caterpillar D8 for $52,083 in 2003, (they bought it for $276,000). It’s since spent more than $427,025 renting it back. A recent contract with the ’dozer’s owner will carry the county through June 30 for another $12,725 a month.) Like I said, an oxymoron!

More than just triathletes and swimmers use the pool, however. A lot of "normal" people use it as well.

My daughter, Rebecca, who is disabled and loves to exercise in the pool, no longer can because the temperature has dropped too low for her to use it and I'm sure there are a lot more people who no longer use the pool because the temperature has become too cold to tolerate. If you are a swimmer you can usually manage to move fast enough to get warm during your workouts, but people, such as my daughter, can't move fast enough to get warm.

You know the pool is too cold when you have to stop after every lap to chip the ice off your goggles, or when the U.S. Olympic speed skating team shows up at the pool for practice. Well, it's not that cold, yet, but I do hear talk that the Kona Ice Fishing club may be joining the pool.

(Need I say more?)

Below is a list of the decision-makers on the island. If you ever use our pool please e-mail them and politely ask them to turn on the heat. Not so much for us triathletes (the bain of existence for many nonathletic islanders) but for those who use the pool for physical therapy, water jogging and just to have fun. Thanks.

Mayor Bill Kenoi wkenoi@co.hawaii.hi.us 961 8211
Deputy Managing Director West Hawaii Wally Lau wlau@co.hawaii.hi.us
Parks and recreation Director Bob Fitzgerald parks_recreation@co.hawaii.hi.us
Aquatics Director Larry Davis aquatics@hawaii.hi.us
County councilman Kelly Greenwell kgreenwell@co.hawaii.hi.us

The other ripple in the tri community here is of great concern for Kona Ironman hopefuls. It seems Ironman is taking away more and more Ironman World Championship Big Island spots every year from the Hawaii Ironman 70.3 (Honu). For most of us that's our only way to qualify for Kona because of costs and travel etc. And to top it off, according to a local triathlete who interviewed an Ironman official, Ironman says that they do not owe the Big Island ANY spots.

Hmm! let's see. Most of us Kona triathletes (we are in the hundreds) volunteer every year at the two Ironman events if we aren't participating. When we participate, again in the hundreds,we pay our money - no discounts given. And we are big supporters of Ironman in the community.

I'm just wondering what would happen if us Big Islanders didn't support Ironman just one year? After all, it sounds like they don't need us, or maybe it's that they don't appreciate us, anyhow.

Well, like I said, there are a couple of ripples. Or maybe it's a splash or a wave, or it could be the beginning of a tsunami. Who knows? Nothing too serious unless you are the one affected. For either issue it may come down to seeing how much pull island triathletes/swimmers have. We do come with quite a support base, though. I mean there's our families, friends, and work associates just to name a few. Pretty much all vote and a lot volunteer at Honu and Ironman.

'Nuff said. On to the next post.

A BIRTHDAY WISH SENT TO AFGHANISTAN

2010-02-02T11:11:00.002-10:00

Today is Lance Corporal Daniel Wrighthouse's birthday. Today, actually yesterday for him, he turned 20. He spent his birthday in a war zone, on foreign soil, in Helmand District, Southern Afghanistan. No doubt it was the same as any other day for him. Did he even know the date? That it was his birthday? Did he spend the day fighting people he doesn't hate to protect those he doesn't know? Did anyone tell him happy birthday?

Today, for us, our Marine is 20. Not old enough to drink legally, and barely old enough to vote. If he were here I'd write about some of the funny, embarrassing things he has done over the years as a kid. But that'll have to wait until next year. For now, I pray that God gave him a quiet day. My birthday wish for Daniel is that he had a day filled with relaxation, maybe a friendly football game with his buddies and a few hours of peace with no patrols, IEDs or shooting. I hope he knows how much we love him and how proud we are of him.

We miss you Daniel. Happy Birthday son. Be safe - Love Dad, Mom, Rebecca, Aaron, Jonathan and Rachael.

I found this list of advice from a father to his son that I thought was funny.

1) The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and leaky tire.

2) It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.

3) Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.

4) Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.

5) Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

6) If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

7) Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

8) If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you

9) Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

10) If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

11) If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

12) Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.

13) Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

14) The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.

15) A closed mouth gathers no foot.

16) Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and dark side, and it holds the universe together.

17) There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.

18) Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.

19) Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

20) Never miss a good chance to shut up.

21) Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

YOUR CONNECTION HAS BEEN TERMINATED

2010-01-28T21:35:00.003-10:00

Today I got a call from Charlie Brown’s teacher. You know, the adult on the cartoon who speaks with a muffled tromboned “bwah bwah bwah” sound. Well, Daniel called from Afghanistan today. At least I think it was Daniel. My caller ID said it was him and I did manage to hear the word “Dad” once or twice in between the bwah bwah bwahs.

Connections from Southern Afghanistan via satellite phones are sketchy at best and even on a good day it can be hard to understand the voice coming over. After all it’s beamed from halfway around the world, up into outer space then bounced around from the East Coast to the West Coast until it finally makes its way across the pacific to our little island. It’s a wonder it works at all.

But today was an unusually bad connections. In fact, we kept getting cut off and a male computerized voice would come on the line saying; “Your connection has been terminated. Please hang up and try again later.” Daniel tried four times to get through. The calls would last a minute or two until his voice would fade into; “Bwah bwah bwah bwaaah bwah bwaaah bwah” until finally the computerized guy would come on and say; “Your connection has been terminated. Please hang up and try again later.”

(Daniel posing for a photo near the town of Garmsir, Afghanistan, recently)

Each time we were connected, bwah bwah was about all I could make out for the most part so I did most of the talking. I think he could understand my side of the conversation. I could make out a word or two of his every so often, but I had to resort to counting the “bwah bwahs” and just guess at what he was saying. Yeah, I’m one of those annoying people who finishes other people’s sentences, too. If not out loud at least in my head.

I would ask him, "Are you doing alright?" He would answer,"bwah. Bwah bwah bwah bwah. Bwah bwah bwah bwah. Bwah bwah." "oh," I said. "That's good. How's everyone else in your platoon?" "Bwah bwah bwah. Bwah bwah bwah bwah bwah," he answered. "Do you need us to send you anything?" "Bwah, bwah socks bwah bwah bwah." "Did you say you need more socks?" I asked him back. "Bwah." "Oh, OK. We'll send you more, son." And so on.

For the most part, placing the bwah bwahs in context with the subject matter then making some guesses, Daniel and I more or less had a two-way conversation. I deciphered that it was 3 in the morning there and that he may or may not have just gotten back from a patrol. That he still needed more socks and that his portable DVD player we sent him still worked and to send more movies.

Just when we would get settled into our bwah-talk, bwah-talk conversation, the computerized voice would break in; ““Your connection has been terminated. Please hang up and try again later.” Each time it seemed to sound a bit more cheerful. Why do they make automated voices sound so cheerful anyhow?

On the last attempted connection, I couldn’t even begin to guess what Daniel was saying. Even the Bwah bwahs were hard to make out. So I told him I couldn’t understand him. My best guess is he said “Yeah, I probably should go.” I said “Be careful, son.” I heard, “Bwah bwah” (I think that translated to “OK”) I said, “I love you.” And right on que that cheerfully persistent computerized male voice broke in gleefully singing; “Your connection has been terminated. Please hang up and try again later.” Did I mention I hate computers?

Below is a perfect example of what Daniel's voice sounded like today on the phone. Sorry Facebook friends, you'll have to go to my blog to view the video: http://amilucid.blogspot.com/

NEWSLETTER FROM AFGHANISTAN

2010-01-22T17:02:00.002-10:00

Daniel is about halfway through his deployment in Afghanistan. Below is the monthly newsletter from Easy Company's commander. Please keep them in your prayers.

Dear Easy Company Families and Friends,

20 January, 2010

Happy New Year from Afghanistan.

For the Marines, Sailors, and families of Easy Company we are approaching the midway mark of the deployment. Separation and anxiety have certainly taken a toll on families; it is important that we all remain strong and focused. The Marines/Sailors are motivated and devoted to their mission in Afghanistan. Every day they strap on their gear and seek out ways they can improve the lives of villagers around Easy Company’s area of operations in Garmsir, Helmand, Afghanistan. I had extremely high expectations of our team during pre-deployment training, as did the Battalion Commander. I will tell you, the Marines and Sailors have outperformed expectations at every level. The area we operate in is war torn, poor, and isolated from much of the prosperity in this country; under all of that the people here are desperate for change. Like us, the people of Garmsir want a brighter future for their children and a place to live in peace. Unfortunately, the area is also a vital link for insurgents to keep their misguided fight alive. They do this through fear and intimidation. This places the innocent in the middle. Our young warriors are creating a wedge between the insurgents and the people of this area. The maturity and care our young men have demonstrated is what has truly made a difference. Although we are different on many levels, the people know the Marines/Sailors care.

Our bond with the partnered Afghan Nation Army(ANA) forces continues to grow every day. The Marines/Sailors understand that their success is the critical link in securing Helmand Province. The ANA have become friends and fellow warriors in this fight against terrorism and oppression. They are grateful for the opportunity to work with Marines and for the sacrifice U.S. forces have made coming to help their country. They too have traveled far from their families, often spending 12-18 months away from home. In some cases ANA soldiers are permanently ostracized from their villages for standing up against the Taliban. Most of the soldiers have proven themselves in combat alongside the Marines/Sailors. They are the future security of Afghanistan and your sons, fathers, brother, and friends are playing an instrumental role in providing them a chance to succeed.

Most of you have read or watched on the news of recent riots that occurred in Garsmir. I can say proudly that your Marines and Sailors acted as true professionals. They showed restraint and maturity at every level. The alleged desecration of a Qu’ran was fabricated to create dissent between the people and Coalition Forces by Taliban instigators. Easy Company was at ground zero; the Team’s actions were critical in ensuring the lies and deception tactics employed by the insurgents did not unravel all of the hard earned gains in this district. At no time were Marines asked to avoid shooting in self-defense at rioting crowds; rather they were simply asked to make mature decisions. Each and every single one of our Marines/Sailors did just that. The relationships built over the last three months with the people, and the mature decisions made by our young leaders, were both critical factors in the avoidance of major violence.

In addition to hunting down insurgents and pulling IED’s out of the ground, the Marines and Sailors are working hard on establishing projects in the war torn region. They are helping the people improve canal systems, rebuild roads, and refurbish mosques and schools. Our Corpsmen treat injured children and evacuate those who cannot receive proper medical attention for life-threatening illnesses. It is inspiring to watch these young men sit down with a group of elders and talk through future planning for irrigating their lands, rebuilding wells, and improving security so their children can play. The Marines of Easy Company and the Battalion truly get the mission here in Afghanistan.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of Gunnery Sergeant Blanton and the battalion’s S-4, the living conditions and amenities at the company’s combat outpost and patrol bases are improving daily. All Marines are in tents or structures with cots, except at a few of our outposts. Although cold and outside, Marines have been able to shower and hygiene regularly. We are working on getting phone connections and several internet connections at the combat outpost in the next month; increasing the frequency Marines/Sailors will be able to communicate to their loved ones back in the States.

On behalf of the Easy Company Team, another huge thanks goes out to the support we have back in the United States. The messages are inspirational and the care packages are plentiful. These selfless acts provide the Marines and Sailors support mentally, morally, and physically. Families are the backbone of any great organization and we truly appreciate everything you do.

Congrats:

SSgt Whidden for promotion to Staff Sergeant

The Strelke Family- Welcome to little Logan Luke Strelke

Our wounded Marines back in the United States recovering from injuries remain in all of our thoughts and prayers. Every one of those Marines is loved and missed by their brothers in Easy Company. God Bless. We will see you soon.

I will end with a few words: Your Marines and Sailors are true heroes; they selflessly serve their Country in this dangerous land to bring security and deny our enemies from spreading terror and fear in any clime or place. I am motivated everyday by our warriors.

Semper Fidelis,

Capt Gorman

IT'S A LOVE HATE THING

2010-01-16T17:22:00.002-10:00

You o triathlon,

builder of egos and breaker of hearts ...

I hate it when you raise me up

I hate it more when you tear me down.

I hate it when you promise me glory

Then throw me to the ground.

I hate your 5 a.m. wake up calls

and swimming in the dark.

I hate your freezing cold swimming pools

and when I see a shark.

I hate it when its time to ride

and ride and ride some more.

How your gale-force wind is always there

that ain’t no Kona lore.

I hate the way you make me run

I hate it but it’s cool.

I hate the way you challenge me

Like I was back in school.

I hate the fact we cannot draft

Bike refs make sure of that.

I hate those cards of yellow and red

that whole penalty tent format.

I hate it when you make me laugh,

even worse when you make me cry.

But love that you made me an Ironman

then branded me till I die.

I hate it when you’re not around

after Kona’s race in the fall.

But mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you,

not even close

not even a little bit

not even at all.

*Inspired from “10 Things I Hate About You”

CRYING FOR HAITI

2010-01-14T21:57:00.002-10:00

This is my week to build the news pages of the newspaper at work. Every week we rotate between working on the feature section and the A-section (news) of the newspaper. That way us designers get a little break from all the “bad news” we deal with when doing the A-section. But this is my week on “A” and the news is grim.

Since the earthquake in Haiti on Tuesday, I’ve had to sift through images much of the public will never see. Images of dead babies, mangled bodies, and heartbreaking photos of grieving and suffering people. I have to find images sent over the wire that convey the scope of the disaster, yet conform to our sanitized view of the news. After all, we don’t want to actually see death -- that would ruin our breakfast.

So it’s my job to censor the news -- Well, may santize is a better word. Your news is sanitized to some extent no matter where you live in the U.S. Americans don’t want to see death and destruction in their morning papers, or on TV. All of the newspapers I’ve worked for, 7 or so, have had policies against showing bodies, or even survivors if they are too bloody. It’s a pretty common policy for most U.S. papers. Don’t expose the readers to the harsh realities of the real world, or so it goes.

So, for the past two days I’ve been wading through grotesque images searching for ones that will speak to readers, yet not offend them. Images that will hopefully move them, challenge them to help, or pray, or at least give Haiti a passing thought. Some may argue that images of people grieving is an invasion of privacy. All I can say is that in an event of this magnitude, the whole world is grieving. We all carry the weight of the loss of life in that tiny little country and that those images should help unite prayers and efforts worldwide.

(Page 1A two days after the quake in Haiti)

Below is an excerpt from a story from Haiti. I hope the Times or the writers won’t mind me sharing it with you. You can find the story in its entirety at latimes.com. The story is written by Joe Mozingo and Tracy Wilkinson. It is heartbreaking and raw, but it tells what the people in Haiti are going through.

***********
... “Look at how many people die here on the ground. No one comes to see them. Right now there is still someone crying in a building down there.” He led a reporter up a bank of rubble onto the roof of a collapsed school. A dozen men holed up in a cave with a small hand pick and a crowbar. The five floors of the school had sandwiched into one. In a little pocket of air between the layers, a woman was alive. They heard her knocking a rock against the concrete about 8 a.m. They started digging.
They found out her name, Emelen Marche. She was a young mother who had come to the school to pay her children’s tuition.
By 5 p.m., the men had been working for seven hours in the muggy heat, gathering flies and the nauseous smell of decomposing corpses. Two bodies were bloating up on the basketball court 20 yards away, a man was sprawled on the roof just a few feet away, and in another hole in the roof, the top half of a man who looked like a teacher lay crushed by a girder, still wearing his spectacles.
Marche, the young mother, appeared likely to make it. The men gave her water and food through the hole. Jean Eddy Fleurantin took his turn with the pick. A young boy came down with a rusty hacksaw to cut through rebar.
She was talking. “Don’t do that!” she would yell, when their strikes with the pick came too close to her hand.
As the sun set behind the mountains, and total darkness approached, a reporter asked when they thought she might come out.
“That’s in God’s hands,” Fleurantin said.
Even if she gets out, there is no happy ending to this story. The two children whose tuition Marche came to pay were crushed to death in their home.
************

Be safe

GOOD MORNING

2010-01-06T10:29:00.006-10:00

I woke up before the sun today. It was 6 a.m. and still pitch black out. In an hour I would be in the ocean swimming with the Masters group. Civil Defense had issued a high surf warning yesterday so I expected some swells for our morning swim. I wasn't disappointed and rough ocean is always fun and challenging to swim in.

(A wave at Lyman's)

With the rising sun, we were treated to lots of fish swimming below us in the dark, murky water. Well, it wasn't that dark but it was a little murky when we first started. If you have never swum in the ocean at sunrise, you really need to put that on your list of things to do in your life. It's an amazing feeling as your body and the world wake up in sync. The colors, the smells, and the beauty of nature. It's an incredible way to start off your day.

(A wave washes over the beach at Honl's)

After our swim, I came home, grabbed my camera, jumped on my moped and headed down Alii Drive to get some photos.

Well, that's how I spent my morning. How'd you spend yours?

Life is calling ...

(Surfer at Banyon's)

(Quite a view.)

A NEW SEASON

2010-01-04T21:45:00.006-10:00

It was a great day in Kona today. The sun was out, the wind had blown the vog (volcanic fog) away making for a clear day. The wind also blew away the smoke from all of our brush fires. Today we could see the where the sky meets the ocean - a rare treat these days. And we could see Hualalai (the volcano kona is closest to) clearly, which is usually shrouded in vog.

(Queen K at the bottom of Scenic hill looking toward Waikoloa.)

(Lava rock - red and black - the ocean and the sky. The horizon. A rare sight most days.)

(Just me and my shadow ... and some go-fast music to make you fly.)

It was a great day to welcome my first official training day of the 2010 season. I started the day at 5 a.m. with a chilly, well let's call it what it was, freezing swim at masters. It was soooo cold that some of the swimmers wore wet suits. The pool is closed the next two days hopefully to fix the heater. It was a great incentive to swim fast though, just to get warm. I think I bumped into some ice early on. My goggles were too fogged up to see if it was ice or just a frozen kick board. I guess it was great training for anyone who is planning on swimming in the North Atlantic this winter.

OK, it wasn't that cold by world standards, but by Kona standards, 74 degrees is freezing. Are we spoiled?

After swim practice I hit the bike for a beautiful, windy 40 miler. On days like today I could ride forever, but I only had one water bottle and half a power bar and two hours so 40 miles had to do.

The sun was just rising as I hit Queen K, casting long shadows of me and my bike across the road. Just me, my shadow and some awesome music piped through my earbuds made for a great way to spend the morning and thaw out from my morning swim in the Kona arctic.

No Lance Armstrong sightings today. Lance is in town and out on his bike quite a bit. I think I've seen him riding two or three times in the past week or so.

The only bitter note on the start of this season is I'm carrying over a couple of injuries from last season that are being stubborn in healing. Hope everyone is getting off the couch and getting active even if it really is cold where you live. Stay healthy and have fun.

MY YEAR IN REVIEW

2009-12-31T12:06:00.000-10:00

2009 was a busy and life-changing year for me and my family. Weddings, babies, anniversaries, war and Ironman kept us pretty busy. Hope everyone had a great 2009 and hope you have an even better 2010. Here's my top 10 list for the year from my blog. These are edited versions. The dates of the original posts are listed if you want to read the entire piece.

1) 30 years married to my soul mate:Blog Date March 14, 2009
This is the big event of my life this year. Karen and my 30th wedding anniversary.
NOTES ON A MARRIAGE
Trying to come up with a title for this post has proven to be difficult. The title has ranged from "Just Kids," to "Remember When," after the song that is playing (if you have your volume turned up). In the end I went with what it is, "Notes on a Marriage."

I've been planning on writing something along these lines for months in honor of our 30th wedding anniversary, and it has taken me that long to try to figure out how to write it. But how do you comprise 30 years of marriage into a short blog entry? How personal do you get? Do you just focus on the funny things? The romantic moments? Or maybe just list all the embarrassing times, such as when the cop knocked on our car door window, pointed to the ground and asked, "Is that your underwear?" Well, maybe I'll leave out the embarrassing moments.

So I started jotting down notes and this is what flowed out. Of course it doesn't tell the whole story, but like the title says, it's notes on our lives together.

On April 8, Karen and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. Thirty years. Wow! How we have changed. How we have grown up. We were just kids when we met. Just kids when we ran off to Reno to get married. We were just kids when we had to come back home (unmarried, because we weren’t old enough to get married) to face her dad.

We were just kids when we finally did get married. Just kids when we had baby Number 1 ... and baby Number 2. We were just kids when we lost baby Number 3. And still just kids when we had baby Number 4.

We were just kids when we took baby Number 1 to Shriners Hospital where she would spend much of her first few years. We did a lot of growing up in those years. But we were still just kids all the while Karen stood next to the hospital bed and nursed baby Number 1 while she was in traction for weeks. We were just kids learning to be parents while baby Number 1 had more than 40 surgeries, including a leg amputated, her spine fused and had to spend a week in ICU, intubated, scared and confused. We were just scared kids then. All of this drew us closer together, but matured us beyond our years.

We were just kids when we adopted our two youngest babies to complete our family. We were just kids with kids until we weren’t. Somewhere along the way we grew up -- emotionally and physically. I’m not sure when, but looking back we went from carefree youths to worry-some parents overnight. We were teens when we were married. Teens when we had babies. All the odds said we wouldn’t last and, a few times, we almost didn’t. We were told before (and after) we were married that most teen marriages don’t last more than five years, so we made it our goal to last at least five years. It was rough at times, but five years came and went. Babies raising babies. Karen learned to cook and do the shopping, and I learned to go to work everyday.

The early years were hard. But without them we wouldn't be who we are today. Year 7 was a hard year, as was year 9. The odd years always were harder for some reason. The years flew by. We lived and loved. We fought with each other, and for each other. We grew close and we grew apart. But mostly we grew up. Then year 19 happened ...

2) Aaron and Grace marry: Blog date August 21, 2009
SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE
Our son, Aaron, is getting married today (Friday) in the philippines. Aaron's soon-to-be wife, Grace, is from the Philippines and out of courtesy for her family they chose to get married there. They are planning a second wedding here for Aaron's family and friends, however.

My thoughts will be with Aaron and Grace as I'm out on my bike today. Six hours on a bike provides lots of thinking time. In honor of Aaron and Grace's wedding today, and out of necessity, I'm going to have something borrowed and something blue on my bike.

For my 100-mile bike ride I will literally be on borrowed tires. Last night while getting my bike ready for my ride I noticed my front tire had a big slice in it and that it probably wouldn't last for that long of a ride. And with the bike stores already closed my only option was to "borrow" the tires off Karen's bike. Her blue tires off her blue bike.

So for six hours or so I'll be thinking of our son and his new wife and wedding traditions, romance and newly weds, and borrowed blue tires on my white and black bike and all the while wondering if Karen will notice when she goes to ride her bike to work that there are no blue tires on her blue bike ...

3) IT'S A GIRL, OR WILL BE!
I haven't blogged about this until now. Our daughter, Rachael, and her husband, Josh, are expecting their first baby - due in May. Which makes Karen and I expectant grandparents. So congratulations to Rachael and Josh. Josh is in the Army and will be deployed to the Philippines in a few weeks and will miss the birth of their daughter. Did I mention Karen is going to be one sexy grandma?

4) Our baby goes to war: Blog date Dec. 4, 2009 and Nov. 11, 2009
Daniel became a US Marine right out of high school a couple of years ago. After boot camp in San Diego he was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina with the 2nd Marines, 2nd Battalion, Easy Company. They were deployed to the Helmand Province in Southern Afghanistan in October. It's hard watching the baby of the family go off to war.

LETTERS HOME FROM AFGHANISTAN
We finally received a letter from Daniel, or should I say Lance Cpl. Wrighthouse. Mail to and from Afghanistan is shipped on a slow boat to China I think. We've mailed Daniel many letters and a package and he has yet to receive any. Daniel says he has mailed us several letters and we finally received this one. (You can read his letter if you go to this blog entry).

The Marine Corps also has an e-mail program that is supposed to be faster than using the US Postal service but We'll have to wait and see. I know, there's a war going on and mail is an after thought for the military, but it is frustrating as a parent to not be able to communicate with your child, I mean Marine, in a timely manner.

THE NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER (Nov. 11, 2009)
Each month the Marines send out a newsletter to the families of those who are serving. This is our first newsletter since Daniel has been deployed. It's a little unnerving especially when the commander admits it's dangerous and scary but it is what it is. If you want to write Daniel while he is deployed his address is:

lcpl wrighthouse, James D.
2/2 E Co unit 73070
FPO AE 09510-3070

It's OK if you don't know him personally. Just write to say hi and tell him what's happening in the world. Remember, he and the rest of Easy Company are cut off from the news of the rest of the world. The postage is the same as if it were being mailed within the US. Thanks and here's the newsletter if you care to read it ...

5) A perfect day: Blog date Oct. 15, 2009
This was a fun post to write. i got to relive my Ironman experience and share it with everyone else. The most memorable part of doing Ironman is definitely running down Alii Drive at the end of the race and entering the finishing chute so that's where I started my story - at the end.
FROM COUCH POTATO TO IRONMAN
Up until two years ago I spent the past 30 years as a couch potato. The extent of my activities involved eating and watching TV. I lived a very pedestrian life. But two years ago I decided to compete in a triathlon. I was 30 pounds over weight, couldn't swim and couldn't run a mile without walking most of it. Through hard work, self-discipline and a lot of encouragement from family and friends I somehow managed to qualify for the biggest triathlon event in the world: The Ford Ironman World Championship. I still can't believe I was a part of it this year.

Here's how race day went for me.
Turning the corner onto Alii Drive a flood of emotions poured over me. Running in the darkness through hundreds of spectators lining the street cheering me on, I couldn't stop smiling. Even after enduring 140 miles in under 13 hours I felt no more pain and no more exhaustion. Friends and strangers were calling out my name, patting me on the back and congratulating me. Oliver Kiel, owner of Cycle Station, ran out of the crowd and placed a lei on my neck.

A little girl about 3 or 4 years old was standing with her father on the side of the road clapping. When I ran by them the girl yelled out "You're an Ironman!" Her words were still hanging in the air when I turned the corner and saw the spot lights at the finish line. With just a couple of hundred yards to go I finally allowed myself to believe I was really going to be an Ironman. ...

6) Marked for life: Blog date Oct. 20, 2009
How often does an event so affect your life that you have to do something fanatical to mark the occasion?
THE NEW IRON ME
Just like getting married and having children, Ironman was a life-changing event for me. The full effects are still hidden from me but I feel differently and I think differently than I did before Ironman.

There's a saying around Ironman: "Anything is possible!" And it is. I have attained a goal that two years ago was an impossibility for me. Since I've completed Ironman I feel as if I can do whatever I set my mind to.

You probably know my story: Two years ago I couldn't swim, couldn't run a mile without walking but I fantasized about participating in the Ironman World Championship. An event where everyone who participates in it has to qualify for. You can't just pay your money and enter. You have to earn your way there and two years ago that was impossible for me. ...

... The new Iron Me includes my new Ironman tattoo. I'm still trying to decide which hurt more; doing Ironman or getting the tattoo. Yeah, I know, branding my body with a corporate symbol is selling out to the man, but I figure this brand means more to me than just a corporate symbol.

To me this tat represents the day I conquered fear and came face-to-face with who I really am. The day I fought a few inner demons for 12 hours and 42 minutes and won. It represents the day I swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles then ran a marathon. The day I became an Ironman. It was a good day. Can you hear it? Life is calling.

7) Karen does Lavaman Triathlon: Blog date March 30, 2009
This is from Karen's blog dated March 30, 2009 and you can see photos and read the entire post here You'll need to scroll down to find it.
POST LAVAMAN
Whew! It's finally over. I had a blast and am so glad I did it.
I wasn't really too nervous until we went to the pre-race meeting the night before. Just hearing all the rules and having so many competitors packed into the ballroom where we met, got my nerves racing. My heart started beating fast, I felt sick to my stomach, and I really, really didn't want to do the race.
Sunday morning came early, after not sleeping too well, and we got out to Waikaloa about 5:30am. When we got there, the wind was blowing so hard and I was pretty disappointed. I was hoping for no wind. But by 6:30 the wind was completely gone. What a relief!
The swim had five different wave starts, three minutes apart, mine being the last. I was kind of bummed that I was starting last, but thankful that I wasn't first where 900 people would be climbing over me.
My swim went good, for me. I felt strong, passed a lot of people from earlier waves, and felt great coming out of the water.
The bike was also going great. I felt really strong, I passed a lot of riders, the hills didn't phase me. Usually I dread them. At the turn around, my bike average was higher than it ever has been for that ride and I still felt strong.
But then the wind came. I don't know why it couldn't have held off until everyone was done with the bike part of the triathlon, but it came hard. A brutal headwind that got worse each mile closer to the end. It totally zapped all the energy I had been feeling ...

8) The youth of old age: Blog date April 29, 2009
THis is from Karen's blog as well. Click here to read it and see some funny photos. You'll need to scroll down to April 29.
HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY RANDY
Happy birthday Randy!
Wow!!! 50 years old today!
I can't believe you're 50; 49 maybe, but not 50!

Here's something, Randy, to let you know what 50 is going to be like.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE 50 WHEN-
*You first forget names,
then you forget faces,
then you forget to pull your zipper up,
then you forget to pull your zipper down.
*Your back goes out more than you do.
*Your cardiologist gives you this special diet:
If it tastes good, spit it out.
*Your narrow waist and a broad mind begin to change places.
*You can finally afford the rings you want, but you'd rather no one noticed your hands.
*You wear black socks with sandals.
*Your idea of a night out is sitting on the patio.
*All you want for your birthday is to not be reminded of your age.
*Your idea of weight lifting is standing up.
*Your address book has mostly names that start with Dr.
*You sit in a rocking chair and can't get it going.
*Getting "lucky" means you found your car in the parking lot.
*You can remember when motorcycles were dangerous and sex was safe!
*You've seen it all, done it all, but can't remember most of it.
*You no longer have to worry about avoiding temptation because it now avoids you.
*According to your best recollection, you don't remember.
*You buy a compass for the dash of your pickup
*You smile all the time because you can't hear a thing anyone is saying.
*You are not grouchy, you just don't like traffic, waiting, crowds, loud music, kids, and some other things you can't seem to remember right now.
*You're still able to recall where you left your keys, but not what they unlock.

9) Family
JONATHAN, JANELLE, CAMILLA AND ALAN COME TO VISIT
Living out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it can be difficult, and expensive, for family to come and visit or to visit family on the mainland. Ths year was a treat. First, our son Jonathan and his girl friend, Janelle, came to visit and watch me compete at Ironman. It has been two years since I last saw him so it was a great treat and made Ironman mean so much more to me by having him here. In June, our Danish daughter, Camilla and her fiance, Alan came to visit from Denmark. They were here to cheer me on for the Ironman 70.3 race - the race I qualified for Ironman at. Camilla was our exchange student in Oregon about 4 years ago and we just sort of adopted her unofficially.

10) On the small screen: Blog date Dec. 24, 2009
MY 15 MINUTES OF FAME
Here's my spot on NBC's Ironman show that aired Dec. 19. This kind of puts a ribbon on a day that was very special for me. It was nice of NBC to use my segment since I'm just a typical triathlete, nothing special, no disabilities or previous fame. Just one of the masses.

When I first saw Ironman a few years ago I was so impressed by the age groupers finishing late at night. Their determination, their drive, and the joy of accomplishing something so amazinig, it inspired me so much so that it got me off the couch, made me learn to swim just so I could participate in a triathlon. Who knew I would eventually become one of those insane Ironmen. I just hope I can inspire someone to get off the couch the way I was inspired. You don't have to be special, athletic or be at your ideal weight. You just need to have an overpowering desire to push yourself beyond what you think you can do and have an unwavering believe that anything is possible. And it is. Look at me. I did it and two years ago it was totally impossible for me to even think I could become an Ironman, or so I thought.

Well, that's my list of the top 10 events of 2009 in my life. Fortunately, nothing tragic or heartbreaking appears on the list. All in all it was a great year filled with adventure and self-discovery.

Happy New Year everyone.

FREEDOM WRITERS

2009-12-26T20:22:00.003-10:00

Below is a description of Operation PAL, a group that encourages citizens to pray for and write to injured Marines. This is from the Web site: operationpal.com. Below this post is the address to send your cards and letters as well as a link for names of some of the injured Marines you can pray for and write to. Thanks for keeping them in your prayers.

OPERATION PAL
Our injured Marines need your support through Prayers and Letters. We invite you to participate in this project as an individual or as an organization to send much needed prayers, letters and cards to the Marines who have been injured or become ill while serving in combat zones, as well as Marines that have recently served, and then been injured or become ill.
Support for these outstanding Marines from the public is paramount to recovery. Each journey can be long and is often painful. You can help make a difference in the lives of these young men and women. Send a “Thank You” today.

Family, friends, Marines and military personnel are encouraged to notify Operation PAL™ of injured or ill Marines and Navy Corpsmen to request support through the program.

How the Project Works
Click here for photo journal of a "send day"

Over 10,000 cards and letters were delivered to Marines and Navy Corpsmen in the first year of the all-volunteer operation. To assure privacy, your letters and cards are addressed to the first name of each Marine and then mailed to a MarineParents.com address. Volunteers then sort the cards and letters and mail them in packets to each individual Marine. Volunteers work daily to add Marines and update their status toward recovery on the public web site.

We need you to send each of these Marines a card or letter and add them to your prayer lists. The list of Marine names and status updates are available on the web site. Please check the list frequently for additions and names that have been removed.

Send your cards and letters to our Georgia-based office. Cards should be addressed as follows:

Marine’s Name and Company
c/o Operation PAL™
PO Box 670328
Marietta, GA 30066

CLICK HERE FOR A CURRENT LIST OF NAMES

MY 15 MINUTES

2009-12-24T12:27:00.004-10:00

Here's my spot on NBC's Ironman show that aired Dec. 19. This kind of puts a ribbon on a day that was very special for me. It was nice of NBC to use my segment since I'm just a typical triathlete, nothing special, no disabilities or previous fame. Just one of the masses. Anyhow, here's my story edited down. And as usual, if you are reading this on Facebook, you'll have to go to my blog to see the video: http://www.amilucid.blogspot.com/

WATERSPOUTS, FUN RUNS AND SIDEWAYS RAIN

2009-12-21T21:56:00.003-10:00

The Wrighthouse Racing Clan!

Sunday was a great day. Myself, Karen, Rebecca and Aaron all ran in the 5th annual Jingle Bells Run in Kona. It was a 5K (3.1 miles) run from the pier and then along Alii Drive. It was great weather for the run - mild, in the 70s, and sunny. This was the first local event that Aaron has done and he did great, finishing the race in 29 minutes. Not bad for not running for the past 11 years.

Karen and I ran together and pushed Rebecca in her wheelchair. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be and it actually helped me run through my injury (Plantar Fasciitis). It gave me something to lean on if I needed to. Karen, Rebecca and I finished in a blazing (haha) time of 39 minutes. But we had fun and I love doing those races as a family.

Next weekend is another Peaman event, a half-mile swim and 3.9 mile run. Aaron says he'll do the run and Karen may do both, the swim and the run.

After the race and during the awards ceremony it started getting a little windy. That's when we noticed a funnel cloud out over the ocean. Several more were reported here and there.

(Here's the front page photo and story in West Hawaii Today the next day on the waterspouts. Awesome foto. And yes there is a type-O in the headline (I didn't do it ... this time!)

Before the awards were finished the rains came. By the time we got home this is what the weather was doing: See the video:

The temps dropped into the 60s and Hail was reported just a few feet higher than where we live, which is really rare. The thunderstorm did last too long, however. Lots of thunder and lightning, wind and rain. Fortunately it didn't start during the race although that would have made it much more interesting ...

Oh, I almost forgot. I made the Ironman World Championship broadcast on NBC last Saturday! It was only a couple of minutes but how often does just an average guy get on national TV? And I'm grateful they didn't air most of the lame-o remarks I made during the race. I'll post my segment on here in a day or so so all you family members, (and anyone else who cares to,) who missed it can get a second chance to see me scared to death during the biggest race of my life.

Merry Christmas.

CHRISTMAS TIME IN KONA

2009-12-13T20:16:00.005-10:00

Here's a few photos from the weekend. We finally finished putting lights up at our house. It's always a challenge since I have an extreme fear of heights and climbing that ladder to put up the lights is terrifying for me. But I mustered everything I could, including reminding myself that I AM AN IRONMAN! so I can do anything, and that includes climbing a tall ladder.

(Our house)

There are also photos by Karen of the Christmas parade along Alii Drive.

Merry Christmas all.

PHONE CALLS FROM AFGHANISTAN

2009-12-11T11:38:00.005-10:00

We've been getting phone calls from Daniel about every 10 days now. The first phone call, about two weeks after he arrived in Afghanistan, he sounded a bit nervous and understandably so. Being in a foreign country where people you don't know are shooting at you, who wouldn't be nervous? He had yet to receive any mail and asked us to send warm boot socks.

The second phone call Daniel sounded more at ease. He was adapting to his environment, getting to know the area and the people. He had been out on several night patrols, heard some gun fire but nothing too close. He said he had mailed us a few letters and he still hadn't received any mail yet. And to please send warm boot socks.

The third phone call he was pretty chipper. He had just gotten back from a patrol where they had been shot at. He was sounding like a real war veteran now. Talking about how another company had gotten "lit up" and how his company was going to help them out. A Marine in his company had been shot in the face, but lived. He still hadn't received any letters or packages and that he still wanted warm boot socks. We had received one of his letters by now.

Early Thursday morning, 2 a.m., we got Daniel's fourth call. He always calls around 2 a.m. This time Daniel sounded a little bit nervous. By now they had been in contact with the enemy a few times and were in the thick of it. He said that his unit had been hit by an IED (improvised explosive device - the big killer of U.S. troops, other than car bombs) but no one was injured. Only a big hole in the ground. He said it had rained hard and that they were in mud up to their necks. He talked about maybe renting a boat and going fishing when he comes home and that he only had five months left of deployment. He said a truck came and brought a big load of mail, included our package we mailed him. The boot socks were nice: send coffee!

Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts for Daniel and his squad and platoon: 3rd platoon, 3rd squad. Check the post below this one if you want to write Daniel. The address is listed there as well as an e-mail address for moto mail.

Take care